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Is81Jea &mi-Momhly-By Subscription $1.25per11ea1 Entt!red as Second Class Matter at the New York, l'f. Y., PoBt Office by Fra11k Tousey. No. 1. NEW YORK, March 16, 1898. ? the mountain to the summit of Chilkoot Pass. Edith walking beside it with the Unknown. Price 5 Cents. Ned

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-$ Stories of a Gold Seeker. IsS'Ued Semi-1lfonthly-By Subscription $1.25 pe? i:ear. Entered ci.-Second Clas. Matter at the New York. N. Y., Post OjJlce. b,'ntered according to Act of Con(l'less in the uear 1898, in the oJ!i.ce of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. c., b'I Frank Tousey. 29 West 26th Street, N e w Yo1k. o.1. New York, March 16, 1898. Price 5 Cents. YOUNG KLONDIKE: OR, OFF FOR THE LAND OF GOLD. BY AN OLD MINER. CHAPTER I. "GO TO THE KLONDIKE FOR GOLD." EVERYBODY is going to the Klondike. I wish I S going, too." Pshaw What could a fellow like you do in a untry like that? They say it's cold enough to freeze e ears off a brass monkey." That's all right, Dick Luckey, I shouldn't care a t about the cold if I could only get the gold. If I d a name like yours I'd go blame quick." "'Tain't any better than your own, Ned Golden." "What, what Luckey, the miner. What do you y ?" "Yes, but Golden, the gold-hunter! What do you y ?" "That we'd make a famous team. Golden & ckey !" "No; Luckey & Golden." "Shouldn't care a rap whether I was the head of e firm or the tail, so long as we got the dust." By gracious, Ned, if I had to go to the Klondike, don't know any fellow in New York I'd rather have r a partner than you." Same here, Dick." You get there every time." "Whatever you undertake usually goes." "Well, I've got to be going, or the boss will be in y wool when I g e t back. So long, Ned. There's out as much chance of our going to the Klondike, as ere is of our going to the moon The boys parted, Ned Golden going up Broadway d Dick Luckey going down. Neither had any serious intention of going to the aska gold fields, y rLAfa;rne of which is now in every-ody's mouth, bi:J' if" -uning to be talked out in the pat,' Q t. Yet these two boys were singularly well calculated for just such a venture, if they had but known it. Ned Golden was a tall, stalwart young fellow of eighteen, big in frame, broad shoulders, with muscles of iron and perfect health. One had only to look at his high forehead and large gray eyes to see that un less fate or circumstances turned him from his natural course, the boy was bound to make his mark in the world. Moreover, Ned was an orphan without kith or kin, and had never had any one to look out for him since his old grandaunt, who brought him up, went the way of all flesh, now four years ago. Dick Luckey was only a half orphan, but as he did not know where his father was, it amounted to the same thing as being a whole one. Dick's mother died when he was quite a lad, and his father clapped the boy into a country poor-house and left for parts unknown. Dick ran away from the poor-house when he was under ten, and came to New York, since which time he had always supported himself, and instead of wast ing his evenings had spent them in study, doing his best to improve his mind. Result : Dick was now a little gentleman and a very well educated fellow. So much for not wasting one's time; there are few boys who have had less opportun-ities than Dick. Dick was just the age of his chum, Ned Golden, but his direct opposite in appearance, being short and slim, and as dark as Ned was fair. Circumstances had thrown these two boys together now for some years, but neither of them dreamed how closely they were to be associated in the future, or t that the chance conversation held on Broadway . e autumn afternoon would come to have a deeper me ing.

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YOUNG KLONDIKE. ==========================================================================================,..---None of us can know our future, and it probably I they saw was quite enough for them, and they in;erall: would do us little good if we did. untarily broke out with a faint cheer. ll." Leaving Dick, Ned Golden hurried on to White It was Schlim's tall hat flying off on the floor a.. 1tll gone, the bust fc ;ior did they care whether they heard or not; what } ness is all cut to 1:1 who digs gold a

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YOUNG rally makes money. Go to the Klondike-yes, i 1." nd Ned turned and entered the ticket office. 'I'm going to the Klondike," he said to the bald ded man behind the counter; "can you tell me w to get there and what it will cost?" CHAPTER II. "I guess you haven't sold many tickets to the Klondike yet," laughed Ned. Not one." "I thought not. I'm going, though. Good-day." "By gracious, I believe that boy will get there," muttered the bald-headed scalper, as he turned to enter the sales he had just made in his book. Ned thought of Klondike all the afternoon, and, of course, managed to get all the information there was THE GREAT UJXKNOWN. going at that time. HE bald-headed man stared. Later in the day he tried to find Dick, but his friend He had only put out the bulletin that morning, hop-was not in when he called at the Wall street broker's to draw attention to his ticket scalping office office where he was employed, and Ned saw nothing ereby. of him until half-past nine that evening, when they As a matter of fact he had but a very dim notion chanced to run into each other in Madison Square. ere the Klondike actually was. It was "Hello, Dick," and "Hello, Ned," and then "You are going to the Klondike," he said. "Well, I it all came out. I was you-ticket for Chicago-yes, sir. Got one I "Well, Dick, I'm off for the Klondike. Don't faint. n sell you for fourteen dollars and a half over the I'm going-actually going, just as soon as ever I can ickel Plate." I get away;" . . Others had crowded into the little office. To Ned s surprise Dick said nothmg except to reThe bald-headed scalper had no sort of idea of wast-mark thoughtfully: g time on this would-be Kloudiker, when there was "Is that so?" Western ticket to be sold. "It is,'' replied Ned; and then they walked down After the Chicago man there was a Cincinnati man, East Twenty-third street together, Ned waiting for d after him one for Oshkosh and another for the Dick to speak, and Dick never saying a word. uth. "You don't seem to be half as much surprised as I Ned appreciated the situation and waited pa-thought you would be, Dick," said Ned at last. eutly. "l ain't,'' replied Dick. "I made up my mind this At last the office was clear, and the bald-headed morning that you would go to the Klondike sooner or alper turned to him again. later." "Well, Young Klondike," he said, half sneeringly, "But I didn't mean it then." l t 't t t k ?" "Di'dn't you?." w 1a is 1 you wan o now .. It was the first time Ned Golden ever had this "No. I was only fooling. Now I'm in earnest. pithet applied to him, but it was not to be the last, by Don't you want to know how I came to make up my good deal, as he was soon to learn. mind?" "I want to know how to get to the Klondike,'' re"Of course." lied Ned. "I saw your sign and I came in." "l'Ye been bounced." "Just so,'' replied the scalper. "You go by way "So have I." f Frisco or Portland or Seattle ; either you like "Dick You don't mean it" "I know all that. Of course I've got to go to "Oh, it's a fact. I've left Ketchum & Skinner laska before I can reach the Klondike, but after that just as surely as you've left Schlambacher & here does this wonderful gold region lie?" Schlim." "Now, I'll be blest if I know," laughed the scalper. "I was fired out." 'Fact is, I haven't any map of Alaska, but you come "So was I." n to-morrow and I'll try and fix you out." "What for?" "But your sign ?" "No business; not "Pshaw Tha.t's business." "I punched Schlim's head and had to leave-you "You really know nothing about the :){londike, know I always said it would come to that." hen?" "I know; I wouldn't want you to punch mine, Ned, "Nothing at all, except that it's colder than the but about this Klondike business, I--" orth Pole itself there. It's no place for a boy like "You are going, too, Dick." ou." "Wish I could." Now, this was a good deal for the scalper to say, "And why not?" or he would have sold a ticket for the interior of "Haven't got the dust." frica to an Esquimau, if he had been put to it, but "We are going for the dust." here was something about Ned that took his fancy. "You talk as though it was all settled about me." "Say, I'd give up that idea if I was you," he said, "So it is." confidentially. Klondike is certainly no place "Pshaw! My capital amounts to less than fift:e for a boy, but if Y
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YOUNG KLONDIKE. ::..:===============-============================================================lt th "Yes, I've been working on that problem ever since two o'clock." "And I've been at it since half-past three." "Thunder So you are really thinking of it, Dick Luckey?" No. I'm not thinking of it at all. I've given :i't up." ''Nonsense!'' "I have." "You haven't; you're going." Can't be done, Ned." "l say it can." "What do you make the cost?" "A thous.and dollars would send me off in fine shape." I figured six hundred to do it." "Too low." Too high, you mean. I've got fifty dollars in the Bleecker Street Savings Bank. Not a toothful on a Klondike trip. I guess I'll stay home." By this time the boys had reached Third avenue ; there was the usual evening crowd, the cable cars were clattering up and down; it was hard to hear each other speak. Ned took Dick's arm and drew him over against the corner saloon out of the way of the crowd. Dick Luckey, you are going to the Klondike and that's all there is about it," he said. "I've got a :.housand dollars in the Bowery Savings Bank and that's enough for us both." "Whew!" whistled Dick. "Where did you strike it?" "Mr. Leslie gave it to me, Dick. I did him many favors and just before his death he sent for me and gave me this money in cash." "You don't mean it! Leslie was a good man." He was. No fellow could ask for a better boss, but I've had enough of Schlambacher & Schlim. I'd rather shovel dirt on the streets than work for them another day, so that's why I'm going to the Klondike, Dick Luckey, and you are going, too." "Ned, I can't take your money, old man. You're awfully kind, but I'd only be a drag on you." "Why?" "There ain't enough for both of us according to your own figures." "We'll take the chances. We can go second class, steerage, or some other old way, but we'll get there if we put our heads to it, you bet." Dick's eyes sparkled. "I believe we would," he said, "and of course I could pay you back, Ned, if I had any luck." "Of course. It's settled. Luckey & Golden is the firm." "No, no! Golden & Luckey!" "This decides it. Heads I win, tails you lose." Ned flipped llP a cent, and a s it struck the sidewalk man suddenly sprang out from behind the pillar of he elevated railroad, and collared Ned before he uld see whether it had come down heads or tails. the Jumping Jeremiah, I've got you at last!" he hissed. "Ha! Ha! Hold out your hands whilell lik put the bracelets on. Ye gods and little fishes wro:ne, bu again! beg pardon, young feller. I thought yoU'we1 my man!" It is a wonder that Ned did not serve him than he had served Schlim. Probably he might have done so if the man had ncrHE released him as promptly as he did. e lit Pulling away he took off his shiny plug hat an ashi made Ned a profound bow. ss,' He was a little man of forty or thereabouts, with kers squinting left eye, which winked furiously now, for It was quite evident that he expected to have troubeam with Ned. Men "Don't you catch me that way again unless y0te d want to get hurt," flashed Ned. wro "What's the matter with you, anyhow?" demand "Tl Dick. "Are you off your trolley, or what?" The squinting eye winked the faster. The shin imb plug went to its old place on the back of the littl Ho man's head. Su "My trolley is all right, boys," he said, confider{ '49 tially. "lt'smy eye that's wrong. The left one, an Bu the right ain't any better than it ought to be. Ii Th fact, I may be said to look six ways for Sunday. It' hes my little affliction, but I try to bear it gracefully. I Sm has got me into trouble before now." aint And it's likely to again if you go for strangers you did for me," laughed Ned. "Suppose I had bee11ras your man-what then?" .nyt "What then? Why, I should have arrested you I'm a detective-probably you are not on to me yet.\ers "A detective?" "Yes." "Who is your man? What's he wanted for?" "Leading questions, my dear boy, leading questionsmg 1 and I don't answer them," said the stranger1t's shaking his finger atNed. "So long! See you later "'. Sorry you ain't my man." fella "By gracious, then, I ain't," laughed Ned. "Would\: it be a leading question to ask the name of this grea4.ng detective who shook me up till my back teeth rat-pie tled ?" The eye winked at the rate of six vibrations to the second ; the stranger placed his finger against hiSold nose. car Decidedly a lea .ding question, dear boy!" he ,, drawled; "and if I was to answer it I should say asGol I do now. I am the Great Unknown!" loa Whereupon the little man trotted off up the avenue, gir leaving Ned and Dick laughing heartily on the cor, gU( ner. "There goes a lunatic, sure," said Dick, and probda; ably he'd say he left two behind him if he only knew." "That we were going to the Klondike?" fir : "Yes." ho "So be it. Let those laugh who win. Dick!" dr "What is it, Ned ?" an I told you I had "Yes."

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YOUK G KLONDIKE. 'Hear me I swear that by this day twelve months I I sho uld say not, considering the amount of stuff t thousand dollars shaU be a million Laugh as we had t o lay in." like, Dick L uckey, a n d let others laugh as they II "And we shall want every bit of it, and don't y ou but I'm off for the land of gold. forget it. "If a ll the stories we bear o f the Klo n dike countr y CHAPTER III. are true, I suppo se we shall, but I'm not worrying. We ain't the only ones. I n N ew York everybody is OFF FOR THE LAND OF GO LD. talking Klondike, and out here everybody is going. HE boom of a cannon ann ounced the departure of "Wait till next year. New York will catch the little steamer, Sarah B. Hyde, from Seattle, fever." ashington, and the five thousand persons, more or Just what I'm waiting for-next year. I expect s, who had collected on the wharf to see the Klon -to be worth a million dollars then." ers sail, set up a rousing cheer. And so our two young Klondikers chatted on as the t was responded to by those on the deck of the Hyde steamed on among the islands, heading for the amer. broad Pacific. en shouted back to their friends on shore from They were now fairly off for the land of gold. deck; men shouted to those on the deck from the 1 And yet only two weeks had elapsed since that little ore; women screamed and cried and some fainted affair at Schlambacber & Schlim's. "Three cheers for the Klondike!" yelled a leather-Ned Golden was not the sort of fellow to let grass gad individual at the end of the wharf, ,vho bad grow under his feet. mbed to the top of a spile. Having persuaded Dick to join him in his perilous How they shouted undertaking, Ned went right to work. Such enthusiasm was neYer seen since the days First, he procured copies of San Francisco and Seat' 49. tle papers and carefully studied them. But it was soon over. These, of course, contained very full accounts of the The Sarah B. Hyde swung around and headed up Klondike gold discoveries and of the country, its re. e sound. sources and its dangers, giving details which the New Smaller and smaller grew the figures on the wharf, York papers did not go into at all. inter and fainter came their cheers. Having decided that their best starting point would And it is safe to say that everybody on the Hyde be Seattle, the boys on the third day paid a visit to s glad when it was all over, for leave-takings are the bald headed ticket scalper, and bought two cut1ything but pleasant. rate tickets for that city, going west over the North"\Vhen the last handkerchief had waved, the passen ern Pacific railroad. rs distributed themselves about the steamer as best These tickets came as low as emigrant tickets would iey could, and there was a general air of relief. ha Ye done, and enabled them to ride in the regMlar Nobody to waste sentiment on us, Ned," remark-cars on the Pacific express. a slim young fellow, who stood with a friend, look -J Berths in the Pullman were promptly ruled off as g back at the town over the stern rail. "After all, unnecessary luxuries, which they certainly were, for the 's just as well." "l don't know, Dick," was the reply. "It gives a llow a kind of a lonely feeling. Do you know what wl:ts thinking when that chap remarked in the board g house last night that if I ate that piece of mince ie I'd see my grandmother?" "No; what?" "That I'd eat the whole pie if I could see my dear d grandaunt-she's the only woman who really red for me." "Pshaw! You won't have to say that always, Ned olden Wait till we come back from the Klondike aded down with golden nuggets. Won't the dear irls be ready to make friends, then? Oh, no! I uess not Not at all." "Wait till we get 'em, Dick. There's many a bard ay between us and the Klondike yet. "Don't borrow trouble." "I don't. It ain't my style. I think we've done st rate. Here we are with our outfit all snug in the old, and our passage pai d to Juneau and four hun red dollars left in our pouch. Could any one ask for nything better than..., that?" boys arrived at Seattle in splendid shape and not a bit the worse for sitting up a few nights on \ the train. Here there was a delay, as the General Powell, the ste,amer which they bad counted upon taking for Alaska, had every square inch of berth room engaged, so nothing remained but to engage on the Sarah B Hyde. Nor were they a moment too soon in this. Within ten minutes after they were booked on the Hyde, the steamer was declared full, and a line of over three hundred people turned away from the office. In fact, :& ed Golden and Dick Luckey were the last names to go down on the sailing list. And so they started, and as the sun went down, they still stood there by the stern rail, looking back at the receding shore and discussing their prospects, when a flashily-dressed young man, with a banjo in a green bag swung over bis shoulder, came suddenly up behind them, and slappi n g N ed familiarly on the back, excla imed: "Well, Young Klond i ke, what do you think of it? Great, ain't it? By jove, we're going to make t h e /

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YOUNG KLONDIKE. crack run of the season. My name's Ralph Dawley. I'm going to the Klondike, or I'm going to blazes, one of the two. Have a drink?" Thank you, I don't use the stuff," answered Ned, making no move to accept the offered flask. "Don't, eh ? How the blazes do you expect to get along in Alaska without a nip of whisky once in a while? It sells for 31 dollar a drink in Dawson, and I've got five barrels aboard I'm taking out on spec." I've got along so far, and I guess I can manage it just as well in Alaska as I have in the States." "Don't you flatter yourself. It's colder than blazes up there, and a man must warm up once in a while or freeze." Colder than blazes is good. Better stuff it and hang it up in your stateroom." Oh, I had, eh? Now you are laughing at me, Young Klondike. Well, I'm half shot, I'll admit!" "You look it!" "Do I? Thought I never gave myself away. I'll give you a tune, though. Here goes." Thus saying, Mr. Ralph Dawley unslung his banjo, and after tbrumbing the strings a few moments, start ed on "A New Coon Come to Town," which he sang with great gusto. If he had been the only one at it on the deck that pleasant September night, he might have drawn a crowd, but there were several other banjos going, and the boys and their new companion attracted no special attention. Several other songs followed. Dawley played well, and his voice was deep and musical. Ned began to think that perhaps he was not such a bad fellow after all, so when, at last, he laid aside the banjo, they began to talk, and Ned told his own name and introduced Dick. Dawley announced that he was from Chicago, and expressed the hope that they might all three become good friends. "By the way, what kind of an outfit have you fel-lers got?" he asked. I guess it's all right," replied Ned. Got a list?" "Yes." "Let's look at it." Ned produced the list which Dawley read aloud. As there was not an unnecessary article in it, Ned having taken the advice of a returned Klondiker be fore making his purchases, we may as well give it in detail as it may serve as a guide to some adventurous Klondiker, following in the footsteps of our hero. Remember, after leaving Juneau and starting on the long journey inland, the Klondike gold fields lie six hundred miles distant, through an utterly desolate region, and even after arriving at Dawson City, the nearest inhabited town to the Klondike, little or noth ing can be purchased by outsiders, as matters now stand, for what provisions the people have, sell at fabulous prices, and are not to be had by strangers, Americans, at any price. Here is the list which Ralph Dawley read alouanan's the deck of the Hyde that night: shoU: mg to Onions, evaporated .......... 5 po,3 Y th< Potatoes .................... 25 Flour ...................... .400 pounds Cornmeal. .................. 20 Oatmeal .................... .40 Coffee .............. ........ 25 rclain Tea ... ...... ............ .... lO elets Condensed Milk ............ 2 dot Rice ....................... . 25 Beans ...................... 100 Soap .......................... 5 bUl!l,wley Matches .................... 60 the Butter ....... ............... 50 po Candles .................... .40 Salt Pork ................... 25 Sugar ....................... 75 Baking Powder ............. 8 Stove ........... .............. 1 The h Gold Pana .................... 2 ait YO\ Bucketa ...................... 2 Bacon ............... ..... . 150 Smoked Beef ............... 25 Soda .......................... 2 Cupa .......................... 2 -say 'l'in Platea .................... 3 Y :Knives and ........... 2 eacl e g Salt .......................... 20 Pepper ....................... l Mustard ..................... l Spoons ; 6 table, 6 tea. . . . U nlrn Whetstone ................... 1 Coffee Pots ............. .... 2 road Ginger ....................... l Dried Apples ............... 20 Peaches .............. 20 Nails ........................ 20 pouil sho Picks and Handles .......... 2 eacby OU Saw .......................... l Apricots ............. 20 Plums ............... 10 Raisins ....................... 5 Hatchets ..................... 2 rs ma Box of Medicines............ Well Pitch ........... ..... ........ 3 pou Shovels ....................... 2 Files ..... ................... 3 Jackknives .......... ....... 2 Oakum ........ ..... ......... 3 '\a Frying Pans ................. 2 ii!" Woolen Clothes .............. 2 ex. Axes and Handles ........... 2 each Chisels ....................... 3 sizes Butcher Knife ............... 1 Boots ........................ .4 ex Pf Whi Snow Goggles ............... 2 pair1lap IronPot ...................... l k of: Compass ..................... l Hope, 1 inch ...... -.. -.100 foot This was the list, but there were some things u Not down on it. Be very sure the boys had not forgotten to provh Pa] themselves with a fine revolver each and a rifle apiecdy t and the necessary cartridges to match. h so The list embraces only the actual necessities of'a.te Klondiker for one year. 1 an< In some instances the number of articles had beerere doubled, but not in respect to provisions. nical Ralph Dawley, who was now apparently sobering ll;rigb a bit, observed this at once. ip f11 "Why, there ain't more than a six months' suppl, W for both of you fellows here," he remarked. 1 "I know that very well," replied Ned, "but it's a;::i our means would allow." 'rhe "Got any money left?" asked Dawley, suddenly. "D "No," replied Ned, looking him steadily in the ey;, 11 "but I've got a splendid banjo down in my bunk, Al I can play just as well as you can. First money I ge I'll frame it and hang it round my neck, so that won't be put to the trouble of asking about it." s "I Dawley laughed and started up "As I walk tha levee D "You're fly!" he chuckled. "You'll do YorkerYh
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YOUNG KLON.I;:IKE. 7 an's hand came down with a thump upon Dawshoulder with force enough to send the banjo ng to the deck. y the Jumping Jeremiah! I've got you at last!" claimed. "Hold up your hands while I put the elets on!" wley sprang to his feet and tearing himself free, d the Great U nlmown" by the throat. he blazes you have!" he cried. "Who's got me? t you got me for? Who the blazes are you anysay ?" e gods and little fishes! Wrong a.gain!" gasped nknown. "I beg your pardon, my good friend. made a mistake." should say you had," growled Dawley. You don't have to say it. I admit it. I'm al s making these mistakes." ell, you'd better not make it again with me. a good mind to break my banjo over your Which would bust your banjo and damage my lap hat all to no purpose. Far better break the of a bottle and settle it with a drink." Not much Yes, I will, though, if you'll pay for Pay for it I Ha, ha That's good Here am I y to jump into Puget Sound and drown myself sorrow for my blunder. It is I who should be ted, not you. Why, I'm entirely ready to forgive and take a drink at your expense." ere the Unknown winked at the boys with such a ical expression, that they could not help laughing ight. Indeed, they had had all they could do to from laughing before. Well, I don't mind; we'll have a drink," said ley, joining in the laugh. ut came the fl.ask. he Unknown took a long pull. Drop it! Drop it!" cried Dawley. "And whisky ollar a drink at Dawson. Drop it, I say!" Ah, dear boy, I never drop a good thing until I re to," chuckled the Unknown, handing back the k. It's the last drink you'll ever have on me," growlDawley. "What's your name? Who are you, how?" I'm a private detective and my name is Smith," lied the Unknown, winking at Ned. "Say, young ow, haven't I seen you before?" 'You bet," laughed Ned. I was sure of it. Mistook you for my man once or dead wrong. Let's see, Louisville, Kentucky, sn't it?" 'No." 'No! Oh, I remember l It was in New Orleans, Gravier street." 'No, sir Never was in New Orleans in my life." Bother l My memory is getting as bad as my eye ht. But I remember now. It was Rio Janeiro, a r ago. I m e t you at the Mountain House." r, "Nonsense I never was in Rio Janeiro any more than New Orleans." "Then really you'll have to jog my memory, dear boy. Stay, though! I have it. It was Jerusalem! Hotel Oriental. I arrested you--" Not in Jerusalem, old man." "Hit him again Paris ? On the steps of the Bourse in '90? Now, I'm right." "As wrong as ever. Give it up." "Wait! I did arrest you?" "You tried it." "Of course. I never forget a face. Mistook you for my man, I s'pose." "Seems to me you've been looking for that man of yours a long time." "For ten years, dear boy, and in every part of the world." "What did he do?" drawled Dawley. "Stole a pair of boots from Cohen's second hand shoe store in Baxter street,'' chuckled the Unknown. "There was a million dollar bill hidden in the toe of the left. That's why I want him. Let's see, I have it now. It was on the corner of Third Avenue and Twenty-Third street, New York, a couple of \veeks ago." "Right, you've hit it at last," said Ned. "Knew it was either there or in the Transvaal last summer. By the Jumping Jeremiah, I merit a reward for this mighty exercise of memory. Boys, let's have a drink." "Not out of my bottle," said Dawley, drawing back. "So ? Well, I must learn to bear privation. I shall have to get used to it. On the Klondike drinks come high, so I may as well begin to school myself now." "Are you going to the Klondike," asked Dick. YOU bet." "To dig gold?" "Dig nothing. I cannot dig and to beg I am ashamed, as the Scripture says. No; I have reason to believe I may strike my man on the Klondike, and that's why I'm going there." "Good!" said Ned. "You've heard of his being there, I suppose?" "Not at all. I've heard nothing-don't expect to; I've searched every other corner of the world from Greenland to Cape Horn; from Frisco to Hong Kong;. from New York to Timbuctoo, including all the leading cities of Asia, America, Africa, Europe and Australia.'' "Ever been to the moon?" drawled Dawley. "No, young man, nor to the Klondike, and that's why I'm going there now. You see I'm bound to meet my man sometime if I only keep on the go long enough, for the world is small and, by the way, as the Governor of North Carolina remarked to the Governor of South Carolina, it's a long time between drinks." "It will be longer before you get a pull at my bottle again," Dawley growled, and he picked up bis banjo and walked away. t f..'

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YOUNG KLONDIKE. The unknown took his seat and turned to Ned. "Look out for that fellow," he said. "He's no good. But you two are straight. I can see that." "Thank you for nothing," said Ned. I can take care of myself." "Perhaps. It's more than I can always do. Do you drink ?" "No." .., Don't." .., I don't intend to." "Stick to it. Look out for the man who does." "You, for instance." "Yes; if you like, but I'll never do dirt to you, Young Klondike. I like your face too well, and as for your partner, I'll bet he's a brick." "Thank you; if it wasn't so cold I'd take off my hat and make a bow." "Not necessary. You'll live without it and so shall I. Going to the Klondike, eh ? Well, well, well I wonde r if you J;i.ave any idea where the Klondike really is." "I think I have, but tell me one thing." "No leading questions. I won't answer them, as sure a s m y name is Brown." -''Brown Thought you said it was Smith?" "You're mistaken. I did mention Robinson, but that was only to throw that lush off the track. What' s your queistion? Fire away." "Why did youl call me Young Klondike?" 'Give it up. The notion took me-that' s all." The notion seems to take every body." "'So? You've been called so before ?" "Yes." Ha Ha Then the name will stick to you. What's the real one ?" Ferguson." "Just so; and as sure as mine is Jones, that's the truth." -"You're getting kind of mixed up, ain't you?" Not at all, young man-not at all. It's you that are mixed up. I think I ought to know my own name, but I'll guarantee you don't know how far Dawson City is from Juneau." "About six hundred miles." "Yes, and the longest six hundred miles you ever traveled. Let me tell you the distances. They are correct. Official! You can bank on them every time." And the Unknown rattled off the following table. As it is strictly correct, according to the official reports from Alaska, we may as well give it here. "It's eight hundred and eighty-four miles from 'Seattle to Dyea, boys," he began. "We go from Juneau up there, you know, and then the tough part of the journey begins. Here's the table of distances from Dyea: Six miles to bead of canoe navigation. 16 34 summit of Chilkoot Pass. 26 1 be11d of Lake Linderman. 34 1 2 foot of Lake Linderman, .35 1 head of Lake Bennett. 3.4 foot of Lake Bennett. 64 1-2 foot of Carriboo Crossing. 811 foot of Tagish Lake. 86 1-4 bead of Lake Marsh. 1061 foot of Lake Marsh. 123 bead of canyon. 123 3.4 foot of canyon. 125 1-4 head of White Horse Rapids. 140 'l'abkeenah river, 153 bead of Lake Le Barge. 187 foot of Lake Le Barge. 216 Hootalinqua river 242 Cassiar Bar. 249 Big Salmon river 2851-2 Little Salmon river. 344 Five Finger rapids. 350 Rink rapids. 4031 Pelly river. ters, lor a Whe VY ig, st >tion All e Un rhe 4991-2 White river. tha 509 Stewart.river. N"o r 529 Sixty Mile Post. 549 Dawson City." ietly "Good Heavens," cried Ned. "How in thu/ore ";: can you remember all that ?" "Whv it's nothing. My memory has failed' t w J' hle much of late, but you see I'm getting old. So IC' s' 31 boys. Meet you on the Klondike or somewhere ( 't you needn't be afraid of me, Ned Golden. I mistake a fellow twice for my man." . W Thus saying, the Unknown thrust his hands mto pockets walked away, his big boots noisily over the deck. "p "Is he a lunatic, or what?" sa,id Ned. "By g D cious I never saw such a man." D' H I "Oh, he's no lunatic," laughed Dick. e kn d your name all right, N . ".AJ "So it seems. Got it from the saihng llst, I s t l th t nee J pose. I reckon we can ge ns ere, oo. But they did not meet with much satisfaction in >ld. respect. The gong now rang for supper, and after the rr The was over, the boys took a look at the sailing lismge the purser's office. .ThE It was impossible to identify the Unknown all the long string of names, and the purser either Arr not remember the man, or did not want to. ;ore So the Hyde steamed on among the islands ::i.e u 'ran windings of Puget Sound. At nine o'clock the boys started to turn in. ry 1 "Wonder who's got the top berth in our st*.ar'. room?" remarked Ned, as they were about to entnss1 "l hope it ain't that fellow Dawley," replied Diigg' Ned opened the door and they entered. Tb As they did so a bead popped over the edge of ilke. upper berth. It "By the Jumping Jeremiah! It's Young Klondikefter cried the well known voice. "Good enough Fell V ( travelers to the land of gold!" k e l : The man in the top berth was the Great Unkno'' Tl IOSS CHAPTER IV. ons Tl THE NIGHT OF THE BIG STORM. vat1 NED GOLDEN thought he was quite a sailor tl N I night. ey' It was not until after the Sarah B. Hyde had pas1 out of the straits of San Juan de Fuca, onto the br
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YOUNG KLONDIKE. waters of the Pacific, that he lmew what being a good "Why, the captain has ordered the steward not to sailor actually implied. sell me any more whisky." When the Hyde first entered upon the Pacific, the "So ?" ocean was like a mill pond, as smooth as glass, with a "Yes." long, steady swell, which gave to the little steamer a "That's hard lines." motion rather agreeable than otherwise. "Ain't it? I can't live without the stuff, and mine's All hands turned up at the breakfast table except all gone." such as had "hit the bottle too hard on the previous "Thought you had a dozen barrels more or less in night, among w horn was Mr. Ralph Dawley. the cellar-I mean the hold." Ned and Dick were on hand, of course, and so was I "Who said so ?" the Unknown. "You said so." The boys were willing to admit that the man was "Nonsense." all that could be desired as a room-mate. "But you did last night. You said you were going No rattling on there in the stateroom. He slept to retailit in Dawson City for a dollar a drink." quietly through the night, and was up and on deck "Oh, I was full last night. I'd give a dollar for a. before they awoke, where he met them with a cheerdrink just about now." ful "good-morning." "You'll get all the fun you want before morning It was not until they sat down at the breakfast without any drink, my lad," remarked the mate, who table, that he showed his peculiarity again. chanced to be passing. "Say, do you see that fellow with the big nose op"What's he mean?" asked Dick. posite ?"he whispered to Ned. "That there's going to be a storm," said Dawley. "Yes; I do." "Everybody is talking about it. They say it's going "Well, I'm watching him. I suspicion him of be-to be a hummer. If I only had a flask of good old rye ing my man." to keep me company, I shouldn't mind." "Did your man have a big nose?" "That fellow is a regular lush, and I don't want "Perhaps." anything to do with him," remarked Ned, as they "Don't you know ?" were undressing that night. "Disguises, my dear boy, disguises." "I strongly suspect that he ain't got any money to "Could anybody disguise a bugle like that?" pay for the stuff, and that's why he don't get it," re" Ah, but my man is a shrewd one He must be, plied Dick. "Everybody else seems to get all they since he's been dodging me these ten years. Pass me want at the bar, as far as I can see." them buckwheat cakes, dear boy, before they get It was hard to believe in the storm, when Ned went cold." to sleep. The boys made many acquaintances among the pas-His was the lower bunk and Dick was above him. sengers that day. The Unknown, who had been very quiet all day, was They seemed to be a jolly set of fellows in the main, snoring when they turned in. of all ages, nationalities and previous c'"ondition. The last Ned remembered was counting the inter-Among them were old miners, doctors, lawyers, vals between his snores, and then all at once there store-keepers, laborers and actors. Ned discovered was a terrific bang, and he sprang up just in time to one undertaker who had just failed in business in San see a dark form go plunging out into the cabin, the Francisco, which was out-balanced by Dick's discovdoor slamming behind him. ery that a large, coarse-looking fellow with a big He had been asleep for hours. beard, and a face like a pirate, was going out as a The steamer was rolling and pitching at a fearful missionary to the Indians, and had no intention of rate. digging gold. "Your money, Ned Golden! Your money! Is it, The talk was Klondike and gold-gold and Klonsafe?" the Unknown called down from the top bunk. dike. Ned clapped his hand to the money-belt about his It was, "when we get there," and what we shall do waist. after we get there, all day long. It was there. The four hundred dollars was intact. very few spoke of the terrible hardships they were "My money is all right, what there is of it," he likely to encounter. cried, springing up. "Was someone in the room_, The subject of the intense cold of Alaska, and the Mister--" possibilities of starvation were avoided by common Brown. Call me Brown. The name is as good consent. That evening the sun went down beneath the glassy as any other. Yes, Ned Golden, there was someone waters in a blaze of glory. in the room, and that someone was bending over you Ned and Dick were watching it when Ralph Dawwhen he got my boot against his head." 1 "Who was it?" ley came up behind them looking very g um. "It's an outrage!" he growled. "By Heavens, I "Blamed if I know. There, now, don't you think won't submit to it! Would you, Ned?" of going out after him. Let it drop, but to-morrow "What's the matter asked Ned. night don't you forget to bolt the stateroom door."

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\ YOUNG KLONDIKE. "But this ought to be reported to the captain. I Ned never finished that sentence. tails if the bottom was to drop out of the ocean," re marked thE: Unknown. "No, Dick Ll:lckey, we don't know who the thief was, if I did, I-ha! What's Next he knew he was thrown violently against the that ?" washstand and then went sprawling on the floor. Suddenly a hoarse shout rang out on deck. "Get back to bed! You can't keep your pins in "Ahoy there Ahoy! On board the wreck!" came this gale," growled the Unknown. "We're right in the cry. it now and this is only the beginning. Can you man-Everybody ran on deck of course. age to bolt the door ?" The sailors were crowding at the rail. It was all that Ned could do, and he was glad At no great distance ahead the boys could see a enough to crawl back into his bunk. small steamer battling with the storm. "I. want to know more about this business," he It was easy to do this for let it be understood the .called. sky was clear; in fact, but for the terrific gale the "Don't know no more than that the thief was there, day was a perfect one. These terrible windstorms .and I shyed my boot at him," growled the Unknown, are unusual on the Pacific, 1':it when they do come, "I'm going to sleep again, so don't bother me." no others can match them, uliless indeed, we except In a moment he was snoring as usual, but Ned never the simoon of the Indian ocean. dosed his eyes again that night, though Dick slept Evidently the steamer had broken down during the through it all, and only heard the story at the break-night and having sprung a leak as well, was now on fast table, for Ned was on deck early, where the Unthe verge of sinking. known soon joined him. Her deck, swept clear of everything movable, was They were the only passengers out. now almost on a level with the water; she was labor" Great sight, ain't it?" shouted the detective, ing heavily, every wave sweeping clear over her. Anycoming up behind Ned. "Good Lord, how the wind one could see that it was only a question of a little does blow! Look at them waves! Ain't they wontime. derful? It would scare me, if I hadn't seen worse There was no living thing to be seen on the deck, many a time; but this is bad enough." except a big bl3:-ck Newfoundland dog, who was run" You gents better go below!" shouted the mate, ning about barking wildly. hurrying past them. "The deck is no place for pas"There's no one aboard," called Captain Forest. sengers now!" "We don't want to muss with her. Get back to your "By the Jumping Jeremiah, I'm thinking we shall plac e s, boys, and go to work." all go below if it don't let up soon,'' chuckled the Unwere Ned Golden's eyes sharper and further reachknown. "You stand it well, Ned Golden! Don't look ing than the captain's, aided by his glass? a bit white about the gills!" Was he dreaming, or did he really see a thin, white "I ain't seasick, if you m ean that." hand waving out of the window of the little deck "Of course I mean it; I-er-hold on! By the house, which covered the cabin stairway? Jumping Jeremiah! The feller with the big nose! My "Dick! Dick! Do you see?" he cried, pointing. man as sure as fate! Watch me! I'm going to take "There is someone there!" h l" im now. "I don't see any one, Ned." The Klondiker had come on deck hastily 1 "By the Jumping Jeremiah, I do, then!" cried the hastily, rn fact. Unknown, winking violently. He shot one wild look about him and then rushed to "Hey! Hello! Captain! Say! There's a woman the rail, and then-well, no matter! on that steamer, as sure as my name is Green!" he There was a contribution to Father Neptune, but cried. the Unknown came back to Ned with "Where? What do you see?" called the captain. the Klondiker had staggered back through the cabm "There, at the window!" shouted Ned. "Captain, door. you must try to save her!" "No ; it ain't my man," he said. "I was just go"Bust my breeches buttons, but there is a hen in ing to clap the bracelets on when I saw my mistake! that coop, and that's what's the matter with the What's that? The breakfast gong? I'll bet you and dog!" shouted the captain. "Can't do not .hing for I will be the only ones at the table, young Klondike, her, though. I can't send my men off in a sea like and I'll gamble that the fishes don't get an ounce this." of my meal or yours, either. Ever been to sea be" You must cried Ned. In the name of human. fore?" Never." "Well, you stand it well-come on." Dick and six others constituted the breakfast party. The long table was deserted, but the Chinese waiters did not seem to mind the storm a bit and ran back and forth from the kichen as lively as ever. "Them Chinks wouldn't turn a hair of their pig ity !" "Don't tell me what I must do, or I'll put you in irons," snarled the captain, but just the same he shouted an order which sent the Hyde nearer to the wreck. Those on deck watched earnestly. There seemed to b 'ttle hope that they would

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YOUNG KLONDIKE. reach the sinking steamer in time to be of the slightest use. The hand had now disappeared, but the dog continued to run up and -down and bark. Captain Forest kept his glass fixed upon the wreck, but he had answered Ned so savagely that no one dared to speak to him again. Soon they came near enough to the floating hulk to see everything with perfect distinctness, and just then the hand was again projected from the window and slightly waved. "Mr. Rogers, man the starboard boat and pull over there and see what it means!" roared the captain. "That is, if you can get any one to go with you I don't order it I only request." "Who'll go, boys ?" shouted the mate. Two men sprang forward. "We want at least six!" cried Rogers. "I won't stir a peg with less!" No one spoke or moved. "Dead, like enough, poor thing," said the mate. "This here steamer is going to Davy Jones in just about two shakes, and we'll be lucky if we don't get pulled down with her. Blast my eyes, I don't want to go aboard!" "I'll go!') cried Ned. "No, let me go," interfered Dick. "There's a law against kids risking their lives," shouted the Unknown. "Pull close, Rogers, I'm the man for the job." "Not while I'm here," said Ned. "A little nearer, Mr. Rogers. That's it! So!" They were close to the sinking hulk now. Ned caught a rope which was dangling from one of the davits, and swung himself on deck with all the skill of an old sailor. The men in the boat broke into a hearty cheer, as he ran toward the deck house and flung open the door. The captain had said his say and was silent. CHAPTER V. "Are you all cowards?" shouted the mate. "Will DICK LUCKEY's LUCK. you leave that poor soul to go down with the hulk? THE sight which met Ned Golden's gaze inside the A woman, too Bah There are no sailors now-adeck house, was enough to move a heart of stone. days!" There, stretched upon the floor, lay a sweet-faced "I'll go!" cried Ned, springing to the side of the girl of about his own age. mate. "I can pull an oar!" Her golden hair was unfastened, and lay trailing in "Here's another!" shouted Dick. the water which had collected on the floor of the deck "Three of a kind," chuckled the Unknown, jam-house, her hands were clasped together; to all ap-ming his plug hat firmly on the back of his head. pearance she was dead. "And three and three make six!" cried the mate. Ned spoke to her, but she did not answer.' "These gents have shamed you, lads; the least you He bent down and examined more closely; she was can do is to help us cast off." still breathing, and in spite or the deathly whiteness There were willing hands enough for this, but the of her face, he saw that she still lived. work was executed in silence. If I can save her I'll do well," thought Ned, as Indeed, it was very difficult to make one's voice he raised the girl in his strong arms. heard above the howling of the wind. Dick met him at the door of the deck house. They When Ned felt himself going down with the boat, had tried to hold him back, but Dick would do it and his heart was in his mouth, but he took up his oar he swung himself up on to the wreck after Ned. bravely. Dick was quiet and determined, the Un-"Is she dead?" he demanded. "By gracious, isn't known as cool as a cucumber. she a stunner!" "By the Jumping Jeremiah?" he bawled in Ned's "Hustle round and see if there's any one else on ear, "who knows but what I shall find my man on board, Dick!" cried Ned. "I've got all I can do to board!" I get her on to the boat." "Don't talk," said Mr. Rogers, "you'll need all the "Need any help?" wind you've got, boys. Now, then, let her go! "No. I can manage." We'll save that life if the old tub only keeps afloat It was hard work tmough. long enough for us to get there." "Let her come, lad I" cried Rogers. "I can catch Then they pulled away with a will. her! Is she dead?" Tough work Hard pulling! Death staring them "Don't know. Are you sure you can hold her?" in the face every instant Yes, yes Confound that dog I Chuck him That was the sort of job the boys had undertaken. down first!" But they made steady progress, and the Hyde hovThe dog was barking furiously and jumping about ered as near as she dared, for there was great danger Ned for joy. that the swash of her screw would swamp both "Throw down the dog, Dick I" cried Ned. steamer and boat. But Dick was gone. The dog, however, seemed to "Ahoy, there! On board the wreck I" bawled the comprehend what was wanted, and with a sudden mate, as they came alongside. spring leaped down into the boat of his own accord, "Bow-wow-wow!" barked the dog, running up barking louder than ever when he got there and lookand down wildly, but the hand did not come out of the ing up at Ned. cabin window again. "That's her dog, I'll bet a hat I" cried the Un ... \

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/ 12 YOUNG KLONDIKE. known. "Watch your chance, Ned. Don't move too quick." Now the boat was down, and now it was up again; now crashing against the side of the steamer, and now at the end of the rope to which the two sailors were holding on for dear life. It was difficult to know when to act; for a false movement might plunge the poor girl into the water. "Now!" cried Rogers suddenly, as the boat rose with the wave. Ned tossed the light form forward, and the mate caught the girl in his arms. The shock nearly swamped the boat. Just then a furious blast swept over them and a mountainous wave sent the boat almost to the level of the deck, over which it swept, sending torrents of water down into the cabin into which Dick had ventured. It is a wonder the boy ever came up alive, but there he was at the head : .f the stairs, dripping from head to foot, when Ned rushed back in search of him. He held a small black leather grip in his hand. "Great goodness! This is terrific!" he sputtered. "We want to get off as quick as we can, Ned. The cabin is half full of water now. Is the girl safe." "Yes. What did you find?" "Not a living soul. I found this, though. It was in a stateroom-mebbe it belongs to her." They lost no time in e-etting back into the boat. "Pull away !" shouted the mate, "and pull astern, boys. I want to get sight of the name of this craft, if I can." They pulled with a will, but it was awkwa.rd work with the girl lying there in the bottom of the boat, her head pillowed on the Unknown's coat, which he had immediately stripped off for the purpose, and the dog crouching at her feet. She'll come to, never you fear," said Rogers. "I've seen 'em worse'n that, many a time. Purty, ain't she? You're sure there was nobody else aboard.., young man ?" Dead sure," replied Dick ; I called again and again, but no one answered." "See any dead ones floating around?" "No." "It would have made your har riz if you had, but Lord, I've seen 'em many's the time. General Swan, San Francisco Well, well The old Swan Thought I knowed her. If Captain Healey is still a running her I understand it. He's a cowardly hound and would think nothing of going off and deserting that gal, and that's just what they've done." They were astern now, and the name of the steamer caught the mate's eye as the wave receded. Just then a hoarse whistle from the Hyde warned them to return. As they pulled away from the water-logged steamer, the Unknown asked more about her. "She belongs to the Alaska Commercial Com J>any," said the mate. "No Klondikers on board of her, you can bet, nor any other passengers neither. I can' t uudPrstand who this gal can be." "Look!" cried Dick. "Look, look!" "Yes, she's a-going," said Mr. Rogers, quietly. "I'veseen many of 'em go. Lucky for us we got away when we did, or-there, she's gone !" Suddenly the stern of the Swan seemed to rise out of the water. There was one convulsive movement, and the little steamer vanished from their sight. Silence came over all as they pullrd back to the Hyde. Not so hard a struggle now, for the wind was dying down, and Captain Forest, whose bark was decidedly worse than his bite, brought the steamer as close to them as he dared. As Ned looked down upon that fair, young face, he thought that never in all his life had he seen one so lovely. Don't you fret, lad," said Mr. Rogers, she'll come out all right, and if nobody else tells her that she owes her life to you this day, I will. I give it to you straight, I should have called off on this business if you hadn't volunteered just as you did." Cheer after cheer went up from the Klondikers as the boat approached the Hyde. Willing hands to help them there were in plenty, and the girl was tenderly lifted from the boat when it swung up on the davits, and she was consigned to the care of the stewardess, while Ned and Dick went b e low to change their clothes. When the boys came on deck they were immed i ately surrounded by the Klondikers and warmly congratulated on what they had done. Suddenly they found themselves heroes. Even Captain Forest came and shook hands with Ned, but he did not say anything or attempt any apology for his rough speech. "Three cheers for Young Klondike, the bravest boy on the Hyde!" shouted the Unknown, after the captain moved on. The Klondikers cheered with a will. Then someone started a rouhd for Dick. No one seemed to think of the Unknown. "Three cheers for Mr. Br9wn !" shouted Ned, de termined that he should not be left out, for all through the perilous trip he had displayed the great est courage and coolness. But the detective would not have the cheers. Hold on, boys he broke in, before any one could respond. "My name's not Brown-it's Black I don't want any cheers! Hooray for the dog!" Everybody laughed, for everybody was" onto" the Unknown's peculiarities by this time. "You told me it was Snyder last night cried the undertaker. "How's that?" "So it was yesterday Gentlemen, I'm a modest man, and--" You told me your name was Duffy before we left Seattle !" shouted another. "}fever!" replied the Unknown. "Impossible! I draw the line at Duffy! three cheers for

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K LONDIKE. the dog We don't know his name, but we can give "Well," said Edith, "I'm a Klondiker, like yourhim a rouser just the same selves; my father is living somewhere in the mining And they did, and the big dog barked as they regions of Alaska. I haven't heard from him for a shouted. year, and, as my mother is dead, and my means were "I don't see what's the use of making so muct. fuss ge.tting low, I thought it would be a good thing to about these fellows," growled Dawley. "l was just go and search for my father. If I don't find him, I goingto offer to go myself when Young Klondike put su,ppose I shall be able to support myself somehow in in his oar, and the mate wouldn't take any more than Dawson City. It was more than I could do in San six." Francisco, anyhow But nobody paid any attention to this spiteful re"I'm afraid Dawson ain't much of a place for a lady, mark, and from that time forward Ned was called r from all I've heard about it," replied Ned, doubtfully. Young Klondike by every body on the Hyde. "One place is as good as another. It all depends Inside of half an hour, the girl taken from the sinkupon the lady, Mr. Golden." ing steamer was reported out of danger. "That's true enough," said Dick; "but how came Later in the day came the report that her name you on the Swan, Miss Welton?" was Edith Welton, and that her home was in San "Oh, my friends persuaded the captain to take me. Francisco. They thought it would be a pleasanter way for me to She had been abandoned by the captain and crew of go than on the regular steamer. You see, my father the Swan, the rumor went, but they had been justly was in the employ of the Alaska Commercial Compa punished for their hard-heartedness. ny, who owned the Swan, and they gave me a free "She saw all three boats swamped before they had passage to Juneau on that account; but it was a mis gone a hundred yards from the steamer," said Mr. take. Captain Healey was a brute and a tyrant. Rogers, who brought the story to Ned. "Served 'em Wasn't he, Rover? Didn't he kick you about and half right Captain Healey thought a woman aboard starve you, poor fellow? Then, after the accident, he would be a nuisance, and so he left her. I never knew deserted us just because I insisted upon Rover going a case like that which didn't bring bad luck." in the boat-of course, I couldn't leave him behind So the day wore on, but Ned got no chance to see my only friend-ain't you, Rove?" Miss Welton, as he had hoped. She hugged the big dog, tears coming into her eyes. Meanwhile, Dick put the black leather grip in the "Don't say that. We are your friends now," ex-stateroom, intending to show it to the girl when they claimed Ned. "Perhaps we shall get better acquaint should meet, later on. ed. We are bound for the Klondike, too, and I hope The chance came just after supper, the stewardess we may be in the same party when we leave Dyea. If bringing the message that Miss Welton would like to I can do anything to help you, miss, you may be sure, see the two young gentlemen who had saved her life. I will." Ned and Dick spruced themselves up the best they They chatted on. Ned seemed to forget all about could and went forward into the stewardess' cabin, the flight of time, for Edith Welton proved to be finding Edith Welton reclining in a big easy chair. The boys bowed politely; Ned introduced himself, splendid company. and then presented Dick. At 1:1st the stewardess who had been in and out In a few well chosen words the girl thanked them hinted that.it was time for them to be going. for the part they had played, her face lighting up This called to Dick's mind something that he had with great animation while she spoke. totally forgotten-the black grip. Ned inwardly voted her the most charming girl he "By the way!" he exclaimed, "l think I've got had ever met, for there was nothing bashful about something that belongs to you, Miss Welton." Edith Welton and no display of sickly sentiment. She "If either of you call me anything but Edith after spoke with entire freedom-directly and to the point. this, we shall quarrel!" laughed the girl. "I'm not "I'm sure I should have gone down with the formal-don't know how to be. I'm going to call steamer if it had not been for you, Mr. Golden," she you Dick." said. "Captain Forest has told me all about it. I "I suppose I come in on that deal?" inquired Ned. owe my life to you and I shall never forget it, but I'm "Of course you do. Now, then, Dick, what is it? only a poor girl and I don't know how I can ever re-Something you found on the Swan ?" pay you for your brave act. "Yes; a black leather grip!" "The best way is by never mentioning it again," "Not mine. I didn't have any. .A.11 my belongings r e plied Ned. "I only did my duty, and--" were in a little trunk-it went down with the steamer, "You did more. I know very well that but for you I sup pose, and here I am with only the clothes on my the boat would never have left this steamer. We'll back and not a cent to my name.'.' drcp it though, since you want to have it so. Now, "Is that a fact?" inquired Ned, earnestly. I suppose you would like to know who I am and how "Yes; now don't you offer to lend me any money I came to be on board the Swan?" I won't take it I'm going into service in Juneau un" If it is not prying into your affairs, naturally we til I earn enough to pay my way to the Klondike l M y would." mind is made up!"

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l YOUNG KLONDIKE. "A brave girl, Ned," remarked Dick, after they left articles out; "these clothes are too big for me and-the stewardess' room. by gracious, what's this?" "She is; but I won't have it." It was an old pocket-book tucked away in one cor" You're stuck, Ned!" ner of the grip, and wrapped up in a dirty handker" Nonsense! As though I couldn't look at a pFetty chief. face without falling in love." Dick hastily opened it, Ned drew closer, and the "That's all right What are you going to do?" Unknown craned his neck over the edge of the top "This girl is in my charge to a certain extent; I bunk to see. can't see it any other way!" "Money here, sure enough, but not much," said "Someone ought to help her; we might start a sub-1 Dick, taking out a thin roll of bills. scription, I suppose." Suddenly Ned gave a great cry. "No; I'll see Captain Forest and fix it with him. I "A thousand dollar bill, Dick Hooray ain't got much, as you know, Dick, but I think I "Five of them!" gasped Dick. "Oh, Ned!" ought to give up a little in a case like this." "Who's the richest now ?" cried Ned. "Hooray As the wind still continued to blow, though with for y ou, Dick Luckey!" less violence, and it was cold and disagreeable on deck, There they were, only five bills, but each repre-the boys decided to turn in. sented what to the boys seemed a princely fortune. They found the Unknown already in his bunk, but And this was Dick Luckey's luck! not asleep. t Hello, Young Klondike I How's the girl?" he CH.APTER VI. asked. WHAT HAPPENED AT DYE.A. "She's all right," replied Ned. OF all the steamers that left the Pacific ports for "As pretty as a picture, ain't she? Well, she ought Alaska at the outbreak of the great Klondike excite-to be thankful to you this night." ment, none made a quicker or more successful trip than "I didn't let her forget your share, Mr. Black." the Sarah B. Hyde. "That's right, always call me by my last name-I In due time the boys had the satisfaction of seeing mean the last one I give you. By the way, was that the town of Juneau rise out of the sea before them. her grip, Dick? I mean the one you found in the To their amazement they saw that it was quite a cabin of the Swan ?" considerable place and they found it a hive of activity "No," replied Dick. when they went ashore. 1 "Lucky fellow t Then it's yours, for everybody on Crowds flocked down to the wharf to witness the the Swan is dead except that girl." arrival of the Klondikers, but there was to be no long "Who says I ain't lucky?" laughed Dick. "If stop here. It was at Dyea further up the inlet that my name is a little out of the usual, at least, I don't the first stage of the long journey came to an end. change it more than once a week." Compared with Juneau, Dyea is as nothing. "That's right. Have your fling at the old man. In fact, Juneau may be called the metropolis of My gizzard is tough. I don't Now, then, Alaska, having far outstripped Sitka, the capital. Dick Luckey, what's your luck? Open the grip and Ned and Dick managed to get an hour or two on see." shore. "That's what," said Ned. "I'm anxious to know Edith accompanied them, and of course the Un-myself." known was with the party. ,, They found the streets of Juneau narrow, crooked Bolt the stateroom door, said the Unknown. and muddy with stumps scattered right and 1 ft "D 't f t 1 t ht e on o_rge as mg ,, TD.ere were three or four church e s, three school idea that fellow was ? Ned. I houses and two theaters, with saloons for a You re a you ought to know a thief when population of five thousand, although Juneau can you see one. boast of only three thousand souls. "There's many thieves on board this steamer and But the principal point of attraction was the great don't you forget it, boys; but let me tell you someTreadwell gold mill, the largest plant of its kind in thing. A detective is no sharper than any other 1'1-an. the world. No; I have no suspicions, but I've got my eye open; Here night and day six hundred and forty stamps I'll get on to that scoundrel yet." are running, crushing six hundred tons of ore in the "Perhaps it's your man?" laughed Dick; "this twenty-four hours of an average value of from three bag is locked. I can't open it." to sev e n dollars p:r ton. "Try your knife," said Ned. "You can break the This ore 1s mined like stone in a quarry, and the lock, I guess." supply is inexhaustible. There is nothing like it anyDick managed to pry the grip open after a few mowhere else. ments. The foreman who showed the party around the mill There were shirts and collars inside, and a suit of explained that no such ore would begin to pay the inclothes much the worse for wear. { dividual miner, but could only be worked by the capi" Nothing of any value," he said, as he pulled the talist on a large scale.

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YOlJNG KLONDIKE. That was a pleasant day in Juneau, and the boys Edith sang beautifully, too; it was really delooked back upon it regretfully when they found them-lightful to hear her sweet voice accompany Ned's selves in the stuffy, little room in the boarding-house playing; but it is safe to say she never dreamed that. at Dyea. the boys were laughing at her as soon as she closed Upon the disembarkation of the Klondikers at the door after bidding them good-night. Dyea, Edith went with the stewardess, and the Un-"She has no idea that the money came from us, known likewise disappeared, no one seemed to know Dick," said Ned. where. "Not the least in the world," replied Dick, "and To their disgust, the boys found that they had for a don't you tell her. In fact, don't you tell anybody room-mate, Mr. Ralph Dawley. what we've got." There were seven others in the room besides, and "Do you suppose I would ? Not much. But say, the cots were ranged along in rows like the ward of a Dick, we must be up bright and early and get those hospital, but as there was no other place where sleepbills changed, for the scow leaves at five o'clock." ing accommodations could possibly be had, as Ned "How far do we go in her?" truly remarked, it was "no use to kick." "Six miles." The next move was the start on the long journey to And then ?" the Klondike. I "Oh, that brings us to the foot of the mountains,.. "For Heaven's sake keep that money close, Dick," and we have to climb over the famous Chilkoot Pass."' said Ned, on the night of their arrival. "If any of "We'll strike snow there, sure." these fellows suspect you have it there'll be trouble. J "Looks like it. Hush; here comes Dawley, and Some of them would think no more of sticking a knife he's staving drunk!" into us for a ten dollar note than they would of stick"Hello, Young Klondike !" cried the Chicagoan, ing a pig." reeling up. "Plenty of whisky now! Whoop! Let. "You take it Ned. It's yours by right." her go! By time, I've laid in enough to keep me full "Nonsense all the way to the Klondike Come on I What's the "Oh, but it is. If it hadn't been for you would I use of turning in? Open that pouch of yours, and be here now? Of course not. You be the treasurer we'll paint the town red !" of the firm." "I've got no money to buy the paint with," laughed "I won't do it," replied Ned. "I'd rather have a Ned. "We're going to bed, Dawley, and you better lucky treasurer than a golden one, now that it's only do the same." bills. Wait till we get the nuggets, then talk." "Not on your life! I've only just begun. No money, "But we'll have to get these bills changed. They'll eh? I wish I had your stocking. I know a blame be no earthly use to us as they are." sight better Who took five thousand dollars off the "Captain Forest will attend to that to-morrow just Swan." before we start.,; but come, let's go up and call on ,What do you mean?" demanded Dick, amazed. Edith. I am curious to hear what she has to say." "Who told you that lie, Dawley?" cried Ned. They found Edith's room a pleasant one, located "Oh, a little bird told me, and it's no lie," chuck-over the office of the steamboat company, on the led Dawley. By-bye, Young Klondike! I'm off for a. wharf. good time. You hold tight on to your cash." "Why, Ned! I thought you had deserted me!" And thus saying, Ralph Dawley staggered away. cried the girl, in a lively way, as the boys presented "The Unknown has betrayed us," said Ned. "By themselves. "Do you know I'm going right on to the gracious, I wouldn't have thought it." Klondike? It's all arranged." I "It can't be anybody else, for no one else knew,'7 "So are we," replied Ned. "We start with the said Dick. scow at daylight to-morrow; but I thought you were And the thought preyed heavily on the minds of going to stay in Juneau until you could earn money both the boys as they turned in to sleep that night. enough to go on ?" Ned was awake promptly at four and no alarm "Captain Forest wouldn't hear to it. He has paid clock to help him either. my way through to Dawson City, Ned. I hope to find Calling Dick, they hurriedly dressed and left the my father there." house, leaving their room-mates still sound asleep, al" That's great, Edith Good for Captain Forest! though the scow was to start in an hour's time. I'd have done the same, but you wouldn't let me." "We'll get right down to the office and attend to "Certainly not. It's different with Captain Forest. the money, Dick," said Ned. "I think then we'd bet He knows my father and says he is sure he'll get his ter call for Edith. I don't like the idea of her going money back." on board the scow alone." Ned and Dick had a good laugh when they were re"She's got to get used to it, Ned." turning to the boarding-house after one of the pleas"I know it. She's going to adopt the regular dress. an test evenings they had ever spent, for Ned had made of women travelers in Alaska, and that's half a man's,. no idle boa.st when he said he could play the banjo you know. Still, somebody has got to stand by hero better than Ralph Dawley, and of course, he took the Edith has no idea what this journey means." instrument along with him. "You're thinking of that fellow Dawley."

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YOUNG KLONtJrKE. "lam, and others of his kind. By the way, Dawley didn't come in last night." "No; I saw that his cot was unoccupied. Are we going right?" "I think so; it's so confoundedly dark I can't see a step ahead." "You've got to get used to that. Pretty soon it will be all night and no day up here." ''Stop We ain't right. There's the water over there." Ned turned to look. As he did so he heard a faint cry coming from behind a big frame building, which seemed to be a sort of warehouse. "What's that?" he breathed. "A woman's voice sure," whispered Dick. Ned 1 Ned Help me, Ned '' came the cry again. "Edith!" gasped Ned. "Oh, Dick!" They started on a run and were around the corner -0f the building in a moment. Suddenly two dark figures leaped out from the shadows. Whack! Whack! Ned got one blow, and Dick the other. Heavy clubs they were, too, and wielded by no gen t le hand. It was a wonder the boys were not killed .outright. As it was, they went down like two stones. There they lay, while the two men who had at tacked them hastily searched their pockets. H Dead?" growled one. "I reckon so, but I take no chances," was the answer. "Ha! Ha! Here it is!" It was the old pocket-book which he held up, and it contained the five one thousand dollar bills. THE STORM IN THE CHILKOOT PASS . "Sit down there and keep quiet!" growled Ralph Dawley, who was next to her on the bags. He flung his arm about the girl's waist and pulled her back. There's just as good fellows here as Young Klon dike What's the matter with you?" he whispered, in her ear. Let me alone Take your hand off If Ned Golden was here you wouldn't dare to insult me!" cried Edith, tearing herself free. Dawley laughed coarsely, and began bawling out a popular song, strumming on his banjo as the scow pulled by, and the tug moved away from the shore. It was too late now The shore was rapidly receding. "Oh, I thought they were here, or I never would have come on board," groaned Edith, sinking down on the bags. Poor girl! She was the only woman among that scow load of sixty rough men of all ages and nationalities. No very pleasant situation it must be owned. The non7appearance of Ned and Dick has been in part explained. N ed was the first to recover from the knock-out which had been complete in the case of both the boys. He raised up with his head throbbinf It was pitch dark. e could not where he was. "Dick, Dick!" he called, staggering to his feet. "Oh, o Oh, my head!" groaned poor Dick, somewhere in the darkness. Ned fumbled for his matches and struck a light. He found he was inside of a large building like a warehouse. There were furs piled up in great h,eaps, deer skins, bear skins, otter ski and muskrat skins. ne had never seen so m y rs in his life. Dick was sitting with his head leaning against one of the piles. "WHERE'S Young Kfondike,_ I wonder? By the "Oh, Ned, I believe I'm done for !" he groaned. Jumping Jeremiah, I ain't going without that boy!" "My head is all cut! How in the world did we com e "d th Unkn l here.?" .:JO sa1 e own just as the scow was suarting, .and he meant just what he said. Ned ran to his assistance and got him on his It was dark-ve:r;y dark, and as the men crowded "You ain't so bad off, Dick, don't you fret, h e upon the bags of provisions with which.the scow w a s cried. _."The scoundrels! It must have been some of loaded down to its utmost capacity, it was not at all passengers, for the fellow who pretended t all for easy to see who was who. help imitated Edith's voice, al\d wb.at's more, he The Unknown was one of the las to arrive, but knew my name." Edith had been some time on the scow, and was : Dawley, I'll bet! Oh, my head!" greatly worried at the non-appearance of Ned and "Did you catch a glimpse of his face, Dick?" Dick. No, I didn't, but how came we in here? "Keep still, there! Don't move or you'll shift my "They .must have brought us in I I could load," cried the captain of the scow. "We're off, have seen him, but I was knocked clean out now !" "So was I, and-oh, Ned! SI'he pocket-1>ok is . "By the Jumping Jeremiah, but I will, though! I gone!" ain't off without Young Klondike!" cried the Un-Strange neither of t}J.em ever thought of the five known, and he sprang ashore. thousand dollars before. "Let me go ashore, too!" exclaimed Edith, spring"Great Heavens! You don't mean !" gasped ing up. j Ned.

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I YOUNG KLONDIKE. l '1 "Yes, it's gone,'' said Dick, disconsolately. "They were laying for us, Ned!" "It was Dawley l I'll bet it was bawley !" "Is your money all right ?" Ned clapped his hand to his waist. "Yes," he exclaimed; "my money's here !" "Huh! Den gib Haida John money," growled a deep voice out of the darkness. "Gib money, Klon dika boy, or Haida John kill!" Ned's blood fairly ran cold. He expected to feel a shot or a knife next. Suddenly a light was fl.ashed upon him. There stood two gigantic Indians of the Haida tribe -the boys had seen many of them around town the day before. They were clothed in long, fur robes, which came down to their feet. One carried a lantern and the other an ax. Their faces looked dark and forbidding. It was any thing but a pleasant situation to say the least. "Huh! Why you no gib money Klondika boy?" grunted the man with the ax. "Haida John find you
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18 Y..OUNG KLONDIKE. someone was listening at the stateroom door that night." Then it was Ralph Dawley cried Ned, and he repeated Dawley's words. "It won't do to jump at conclusions," said the Unknown; "it may just as well have been one of Dawley's friends as Dawley himself; but we must hurry. The second scow starts at noon and we go on her. I don t like the idea of Edith being alone with that gang, but we are certain to overtake them in the Chilkoot Pass." "If Ralph Dawley says one insulting word to that girl he'll have to settle with me," cried Ned. "Say nothing and saw wood," r e plied the Un known. "Don't you pick quarrels with Ralph Dawley if you want to get your money back.'' "At least," said Dick, "tell us your real name. From this day on we are friends." The moment Dick said this the Unknown took on his old manner again. "My name, dear boy, is Grey," he chuckled. "Now, let's get up to the house where I was stopping and clean up. Ha! What do I see? By the Jumping Jeremiah, that's my man at last!" He made a dive for a respectable citizen of Dyea, who was hurrying along, and then drew back again. "Wrong again!" he laughed. "Shall I ever find him? Yes, if I only look long enough. But here we are at the house. The boss will be surprised to see me back again; I have a way of surprising everybody, it seems." "You never will find out his real name, Dick,'' whispered Ned, "so you'd better drop it, but one thing is sure, the fellow is a true friend to us." And, as they had reason to know afterward, Ned Golden never spoke a truer word. Dick's injury proved to be nothing worse than a scalp wound, and Ned's was confined to a huge lump on his forehead. Their first thought was to report the affair to the authorities, but the detective advised them strongly to say nothing about it. So they hung around Dyea until noon, when the second scow load of Klondikers made their start. Ned saw their traps safely on board, and exactly at twelve the scow pulled out, carrying with it eighty men. There was no such thing as seats ; the passengers distributed themselves over the load as best they could. The run from this point to where the tug could go no further was something over a mile, and then the scow had to be poled along through the shallows of the Lome Canal to the foot of the mountains. It was slow work and everybody was expected to lend a hand. Five miles brought them to the end of this stage of the journey. Here there was a little hut and a wharf, near which the other scow was lying. The place was deserted except for the agent of the scow owners, whose business it was to see the arriving parties started on those terrible twenty miles over the mountains through the Chilkoot Pass. Ned was terribly disappointed to find the other party was at least three hours ahead of them. Edith, with Rover to keep her company, had gone on with the'rest. "That's a bad dog and he ought to be shot," said the agent. "Why, he sprangupononeof themfellers and had him down in an instant. He'd have torn him to pieces if I hadn't interfered." "Who was the man?" asked Ned. "Name of Dawley," they told me. "Ha! Ha!" laughed the Unknown. "Say, Young Klondike, you needn't worry about Edith. Rover will look after her all right. We are sure to overtake her at Lake Linderman arid we may do it in the Pass, for I'll bet anything it's going to snow." It certainly looked very much that way. Dark threatening clouds were gathering over the lofty snow-clad peaks which towered above them. The old hands among the party, and there were several who had traveled the road before, were unani mously of the opinion that a storm was at hand. Some tallrnd of waiting, but the old-timers wouldn't hear to it. The season was advancing rapidly and every moment was precious. There were mules to drag the load of freight up to the snow line in rude wagons, and here the goods were loaded on to the sleds which were to be pulled by the Klondikers themselves, every man looking after his own. Ned and Dick had provided themselves with a sled at Dyea, and they found it waiting for them with their other effects on leaving the scow. As the Unknown had no baggage, he turned in and helped load up. Everybody now dressed themselves in their warmest clothing, for the wind was piercing cold and blowing furiously, but as yet there was no snow. To the surprise of the boys, the Unknown made no preparations for the journey, but just pulled his plug hat tighter on the back of his head, and tying a red muffler around his neck, put on a pair of mittens and "winked the other eye." "You don't mean to go that way?" demanded Ned, just as they were about to start. "Just what I do, dear boy. How else would you have me go?" "Have you no fur cap, nothing else to put on your head?" "Don't want anything else. I've been twice around the world with this hat. It did well enough in Kamtchatka last year when I thought I'd located my man at Petropolovsky, guess it will do here." "Is there any part of the world you haven' t been in?" asked Dick. "Certainly. Two places I have never been and never shall go, for my man is surely not in either." "What are they?" "The North and South Pole, dear boy! Tra-la-la Don't say any more. I see they are going to start." The ascent of the mountain then began; a weari some tramp of an hour brought them to the snow line. Here it was easier pulling the sleds, but the temperature had dropped below freezing and the wind beat pitilessly against them, but the crust was hard and it was easy walking for the first mile or two. But the short day was now advancing, and darkness set in as they started on the second mile. All at once the dogs, which were drawing some of the freight sleds, set up a furious barking. "Look ahead cried the Unknown. There she comes." It was a thick mass of snow flakes sweeping down between the frowning rocks, which rose to a tremendous height on either side of them. "The storm at last," cried Ned, and he had scarce-ly spoken when it came whirling down the canyon. All in an instant they were enveloped in it. And such a storm No Western blizzard could begin to be compared with it. In an instant those ahead seemed to vanish. It was all Ned could do to see Dick alongside of him; as for

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YOUNG KLONDIKE. the Unknown, who walked behind the sled, he had I dead slow about this business. Come on, Young disappeared. Klondike. \Ve're going to find Dick." "Keep her a-go'ing, boys he shouted. "We'll It is easier to imagine Neel's feelings than to describe make the Relay House inside of twenty minutes If them. this sort of thing keeps up I stop there, no matter To his unutterable joy they found poor Dick lying what any one says." half buried in the snow before they had gone back a No one spoke after that; it was impossible to make dozen yards. oneself heard. It is hard to believe that such an accident could oc-As the moments passed, it grew worse and worse. cur; only those who have made the passage of those Ned bent his head low and pushed bravely on. terrible mountain passes in: Alaska can realize its Their sled happened to be the last in the little pro-truth. cession. N eQ. had Dick in his arms in a moment. He seemed Ned had no more idea what those ahead of him were drowsy and only half conscious of his surroundings. about, than if they had been at the other end of the "That you, Ned? Let me sleep a couple of minutes. world. I'll be all right," he muttered, with his eyes half closed. Ten, fifteen, twenty minutes passed, and still they "Stand on your feet, boy!" cried the Unknown, toiled on. seizing him roughly and shaking him till his teeth Ned saw no signs of the hut known as the Relay cllattered. House-a mere shelter where Klondikers thus over"Let me alone What you doing?" growled Dick, taken by storms, sometimes tied up for the night. and he struck out at him. "Confound you! What do Ned began to wonder if they could have it. you mean?" he roared, as the detective continued to Still he lmew that this could scarcely be, as the Pass shake. was narrow and they were certain to come up with "That's what's the matter Hit me again," cried the others if a halt had been made. the Unknown. "Do you know where you are now? The snow was now rapidly getting deep, and the Can you stand on your pins? Ye gods and little fishsled harder and harder to pull. es! There'd been a dead Klondiker in the Chilkoot "How are you standing it, Dick?" shouted Ned. if we had let you stay there many minutes longer, He could not see Dick at all. that's sure." There was no answer from Dick, but the voice of Ned was talking, too, and urging Dick to brace up. the Unknown was faintly heard, saying: "I don't know what's the matter with me," "I'm pushing for all I'm worth, dear boy. Why growled Dick. "It seemed as though I went to pieces in thunder don't you pull?" all at once." Pull! Ned was pulling for all he knew and he now They put him on the sled and moved forward as began to realize how hard it had grown in the last rapidly as possible, coming in a few moments to the moment or so. Relay House, a mere hut, standing under the shelter He put out his hand and felt for Dick. of an overhanging ledge near the summit of the Pass. To his horror he found that there was nobody be-Here .they found a few of the party halted, but by side him. far the greater number had begun the descent. Dick had vanished in the storm. To Ned's unspeakable relief, Rover came rushing CHAPTER VIII. THE NIGHT ATTACK ON THE RELAY HOUSE. out of the hut, barking wildly as they approached, and there stood Edith in the doorway, waving her handkerchief. NED'S wild shout brought the Unknown to the front "Oh, Ned I thought you had deserted me !" she exclaimed; "but what's the matter? Is there any Where's thing wrong with Dick? We've got a good fire here in an instant. "What's the matter?" he bellowed. Dick?" "Don't know He dropped out and I never knew," roared Ned, having all he could do to make himself heard even then. "By the Jumping Jeremiah, I ought to be cow hided I knew there was something wrong when the sled began to pull so hard." "Dick l Dick !".shouted Ned, starting to plow his way back down the Pass. But the Unknown caught him by the arm and pull ed him back. "Now, don't you make an idiot of yourself or we shall all three of us be lost!" roared the detective. "Just you keep quiet; this thing ain't going to last. I've got a dark lantern somewhere. Let me get it lighted, and we'll soon find Dick. I ought to have known when the poor fellow was so silent that there was something wrong." He fumbled inside his coat and produced a small dark lantern, and proceeded to light it with a flamer. He had scarcely succeeded in this, when to Ned's utter amazement, it suddenly stopped snowing, and the wind died away as though there had never been any, and out came the stars twinkling like so many diamonds in the sky. After all, it was nothing but a squall, and it had blown itself out. "Huh! What did I tell you ?".chuckled the Un known. "No sign of the fellows ahead. We've been -bring him right in That ended the journey for the night. Others had given out besides Dick, and were already in the hut. One of the guides was with the party which had halted. He informed Ned that two of the canoes which were to take them down Lake Linderman would wait for them at the foot of the mountains, so there was no thought of moving further that night. They put Dick into one of the bunks, and he was soon fast asleep. The Unknown rolled himself up in his blanket and la. y on the floor, as did most of the others, for there were only six bunks in the hut. One of these was reserved for Edith, but she se e m ed to be in no haste to take possession of it. Long after the others were asleep, she and Ned sat together on the floor, in front of the crackling wood fire, talking over their affairs. "It seems to me that there is very little doubt that Ralph Dawley knows who stole your money, even if he isn't the actual thief," said Edith. "He's a thoroughly bad fellow, Ned; do you know that he kept pestering me with his attentions all the way up the canal, and actually had the impudence to ask me to marry him after we made the landing." "The scoundrel!" cried Ned. "I only wish I'd been there ; I--"

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20 YOUNG KLONDIKE. "No you wouldn't, for I wouldn't have let you," J His cries were dro-wned by the crack of rifles and said Edith. "Besides, I had all the protection I needed the wild yells of the Indians. from Rover it's strange, but he seemed to know Short, sharp and decisive had b en the battle. what was going on he flew at Ralph Dawley's throat Instead of waiting for the Indians to break into the almost as the were spoken. It's a wonder he hut, the Klondikers boldly flung open the door and didn't kill him. Dawley let me alone after that." rushed out firing. . "Good Rove! Good dog!" said Ned, patting his The result was a stampede and Ned ran right mto head. "Edith, there is one thing certain ; you must the arms of Dick. put yourself in my charge until we reach Dawson "Gosh blame thein fellers! They're Copper Mine City." Injuns !" growled the guide. "Someone has put "I'll do it gladly, Ned; but you needn't worry. 'em up to this. Rover is my protector. He and I understand, each "There! Up there! Two white men!" panted other perfectly, and-what's that?" Ned, who was all out of breath. "What?" He led the rush and everybody followed including "Don't you hear? There's someone moving about Edith, but they had their labor for their pains, for outside the hut." both the two Klondikers and the Indians had vanished. "You must be mistaken." A moment later and they saw the two Klondikers "No, I ain't. I heard someone at the door-I'm come into view bounding down the mountain, but the sure I did." Indians were not seen again. "It's only the wind, Edith, but to satisfy you I'll There was no more sleep for any one that night. look. No, there is no one there." Ned had to tell his story over and over again. Ned threw the door open and peered out into the "The whole thing was a fake," declared the Unnight, known, speaking privately to Ned and Dick. "It "I thought I heard someone," said Edith, "but was you they wanted, Young Klondike. It's the probably I was mistaken." same old thief." I'll just take a turn around the hut to make sure," "You think so ?" said Ned, stepping outside. "I'm sure of it." A sharp cry reached Edith's ears before she could "But his motive?" g e t to the door. To her horror she saw a giant In"Heavens, boys! Can you ask it? Robbery, of dian peering in at her. course. They got Dick's money, but they didn't get "Help Help Indians '' she screamed, slamming yours, did they? No They've been laying for you the door in his face. and they bribed the Indians to make a fake attack on Her cry brought every man to his feet, even to the Relay House. You saw what cowards they were Dick. for yourself." "Where's Ned?" he called, springing out of the "And you may be sure that Ralph Dawley is at the J bunk. bottorri of it," declared Edith. "Ned, I believe it "Oh, they've got him! The Indians have got him!" was he who robbed Dick." screamed Edith. "I wish I actually knew." Bang-bang-bang I A furious knocking began on "So do I," said Dick. It wouldn't take me long the door. to settle with Dawley, you bet!" The Klondikers grasped their rifles and prepared to "Neither of those fellows looked like Dawley," defend the hut. mused Ned, "but I shall be on my guard." It was a serious case for Ned. "Leave it to me. I'm going to find out," said Two Indians seized him the moment he showed him-Edith, setting her lips firmly. "Dick, I'm going to self outside the door. get your money back." He saw as many as twenty others spring up out of How?" asked Dick. the snow. "Don't you do anything rash, Edith," said Ned. Ned fought like a tiger, but the big bucks were too But Edith only laughed, and she refused to talk any much for him. more about the matter. They twisted his arms behind him and bent his head So the night wore on, and an early start was made until his neck cracked. up the mountain to the summit of the Pass. "How How White boy they grunted. "How Ned and Dick pulled the sled, Edith walking beside How!" it and the Unknown, with his plug hat jammed on the All this time they were dragging him up the slope back of his head, plodding on after them. of tbe Pass. Ned carried his rifle now. He determined never to They had not gone more than a hundred yards, be without it until he could provide himself with an when two white men in Klondiker's dress sprang out other revolver. from behind the rocks. The journey to the summit of Chilkoot Pass was Their faces were so concealed with fur caps and performed in safety; it was a splendid day for travelmuffi.ers that Ned, although he knew that in all proba-ing on the snow, for the wind had swept the old crust bility they belonged to his party, could not make out clean and it bore the sled well, and as a rule, the trav-who they were. elers, too. "That's the fellow," growled one. "Hand him The thermometer stood at about zero when they over to us, bucks. We'll do the rest. You get your started out, but as they began to descend on the other share." side, the temperature rose rapidly. "No hand him over-no-no!" growled the buck It was wonderful to stand there surrounded by snow on Ned's right. "You pay money now! Den me and ice, and look down upon the valley and Lake Lingib up white boy! You pay money now." derman and see the scrub oaks and tundra grass in all "Take that, you fraud!" hissed the Klondiker, the beauty of their autumnal colorings. aiming a blow at the buck with the stock of his The long narrow lake was as clear as crystal. rifle. Great flocks of ducks were fl.yiI).g above it now, dropThe bucks let go of Ned who improved the oppor-ping upon the water and skimming over its glossy tunity to double between them and run for his life surface, now rising again and fl.uttering on. down the slope, shouting as he went. They could see the camp of the Klondikers, too, and ,,.'

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YOUNG KLONDIKE. 21 the smoke of their fires rismg heavenward in one straight column, for there was not a breath of wind. "Beautiful!" cried Edith. "Ned, isn't it glorious!" "There's Dawley!" said Dick, who was looking through his opera glass. "I can see him as plain as day." N ed had a look. Dawley was sitting on a rock near the camp, picking the banjo and evidently singing, although of course no sound reached their ears. "He looks harmless enough," said Ned. "I can't believe that he really led the attack last night." "Humph Don't do to go by looks, dear boy," said the Unknown. The mildest looking man I ever knew was five times a murderer, and I lived to see him hung. If you will believe it he actually thanked the hangman when he dropped the noose about his neck. Get up, there, boys, or we'll be down too late for the canoes." They saw the first canoe load of Klondikers start down the lake before they were half way down the mountain. Another and another followed until six had started. These canoes were made of birch bark, bent over strong oak ribs and thoroughly pitched. Each held about ten men and each carried its proportion of the freight. Our little party now pushed on more rapidly, for they well knew that there would be no waiting for them. They reached the camp in good time, however, the second canoe party not starting for fully half an hour. This was a busy time, for every ma'n was expected to attend to the shipment of his own goods. The sled had to be taken apart and the bags and hampers loaded on to the big canoe. It was wa .rm work, for the thermometer had now risen up into the eighties. It was impossible to real ize that the cold and storm of the night before had been anything but a dream. The boys worked straight ahead and wasted no time talking about the adventures of the night, leaving it to the guide to do that. His story created great excitement. The Haida Indians, who had been engaged to paddle the canoes down the lake were carefully questioned by the captain of the second party-the one to which our friends were now attached. They declared most positively that they knew nothing of the affair. As Dawley had departed he could not be questioned, but there were several who had been there all night, and the detective quietly questioned them. All assured him that Dawley had never left the camp. "By the Jumping Jeremiah, you're a splendid player cried the Unknown. "Hit it again, Young Klondike. I like that!" Before Ned could comply, one of the Haidas gave a shout and pointed off at the shore. A large moose stood on a point of land right ahead of them. "Me kill him !" cried the Haida. "Den you buy him? Huh Good eat. Plenty meat !" "Get in range! We are too far," said old Joe Torry, the captain of the party. "We'll get him somehow, you bet The Haidas paddled vigorously. As yet the moose did not seem to be aware of the approach of the boat. All eyes were strained ahead, and one of the Haidas had his hand on his rifle, when Edith, who had been quietly watching the moose, suddenly stood up, clapped Ned's Winchester to her shoulder, and let fly. The big animal sprang into the air with a wild snort, and running through the tundra, the high grass which grows everywhere on the lowlands of Alaska, plunged into the little bay separating the point from the ma. inland. "Good for you, girl !" cried old Joe. "I didn't be lieve it could be done, but you've spoiled our pie, just the same." "Wait," said Edith, quietly. "Fetch him, Rove! Fetch him, boy!" Rover sprang into the water and made for the moose, the Haidas, with disgusted grunts, turning the canoe toward the bay. "Splendid shot, Edith," said Ned, admiringly. "I told you I could do it, but I wish I'd killed him." Rover will do that." "You can be sure of it. Look He's almost there." In a moment more Rover was up with the moose, whose strength was almost exhausted. They saw him spring at the throat of the wounded moose. Twice it shook him off, and succeeded in landing on the opposite shore of the bay. But Rover stuck to him. Then the moose tossed him. But Edith was ready. As the dog went flying into the air, she fired again. The moose dropped on its knees and fell over dead. Rover stood triumphantly by when the canoe came up. "Huh! Huh! White girl big shot!" grunted the Haidas. They took it good-naturedly, although they lost the chance of selling the moose to the party, and they CHAPTER IX. helped to cut it up and skin it. SHOOTING THE RAPIDS. Edith claimed the horns as her trophy, and when AT ten o'clock the canoes sailed. the meat was packed away in the canoe, they started Wild cheering went up from the Klondikers on the again. different boats as they pushed off from the shore. The best part of an hour had been lost, and their Tbe six mile run down the lake had now begun. companions were now out of sight. "Knocks traveling in the Ohilkoot Pass silly, don't "Paddle, boys! Paddle!" cried Joe Torry. "We've it?" exclaimed the Unknown, after they were well got the rapids ahead of us, and we've got to do that out on the lake. "Come! I like this. It's jolly, or job before dark." it ought to be. Edith, sing something, can't you? The Haidas worked their paddles with a will, and We want to enjoy ourselves while we can." just as the s11n was beginning to sink below the hori" I'll sing if Ned will play," replied. Edith. zon, they came in sight of the foot of the lake. Ned got out his banjo, tuned it and struck up a Several of the canoes were there, waiting their turn popular air, Edith joining in with her sweet voice. to descend the rapids between Lakes Linderman and The Klondikers in the canoe were charmed, and Bennett. came in in the chorus, and even the Haidas grunted As they drew nearer, a large canoe paddled by four their approval. Indians separated itself from the rest and moved toSong after song was sung, and then Ned did some ward them up the lake. fancy instrumental work on the banjo. 1 "Hello What's that mean?" demanded Ned.

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YOUNG KLONDIKE. The Unknown clapped his glass to his eye. "None of our crowd," he declared. Returning Klondikers, perhaps," said Dick. "That's what they are," addedoldJoe. "They're from Dawson, sure." "Good enough!" cried the Unknown. "Ten to one my man is among them." The boys laughed, but the detective seemed to be perfectly serious and kept his glass fixed on the approaching canoe. "Yes, there he is!" he cried, suddenly. "I'm right this time. See that old fellow with the long beard in the stern?" 'First, your man is young and then he's old," laughed Dick. "Do you mean to say that granddaddy looks anything like Ned, and didn't you mistake Ned for your man ?" "Disguises, dear boy, disguises," chuckled the Un known. "Allow me to know my business. I may as well get the bracelets ready. That's surely my man." "Boat ahoy!" shouted old Joe Torry. "Hello, hello came back across the lake. "Where you from? Where you bound ?" "Dawson City to Dyea We are going home!" "With their pile, you can bet," cried Dick. "Perhaps they know something of my father," murmured Edith. "I hope they come up to us. It would be such a relief if I only knew that I was going to meet him at my journey's end." "By the Jumping Jeremiah! Watch me take him, boys I" said the Unknown. The canoe load of returning Klondikers was soon alongside. "Wrong again!" exclaimed the Unknown, with a gesture of despair. "That ain't my mau." "Who you talking about?" demanded Joe Torry. The old fellow in the stern. I thought he was a friend of mine." Just then the man in question called out: Gentlemen, I'm Dan Farley of Dawson City These here are all friends of mine He rattled off their names, and old Joe introduced his party in the same way. "How's things at Dawson?" he called l'lack. "Bully for mining, bad for grub. There's going to be trouble this winter if many more go in." "Had any luck, Mr. Farley?" asked Ned. "So, so!" "I trust my good friend, you've not dug all the gold there is in the Klondike?" asked the Unknown. "Dug it all Ha Ha! Ha It would take a hundred years to do that, boss. There's millions in the Klondike, but I've got my share, and don't you forget it. We're all satisfied, ain't we, boys?" They ought to have been. Long afterward Ned learned that this very party had shipped down over a million i:o. gold dust on the last steamer to leave Dawson before navigation closed, which was in excess of what they had with them in the canoe, and any one could i;;ee that there was a big extra weight there, for the frail craft was down almost to the water line. "Can you tell me anything of my father, Mr. Far ley?" asked Edith, when she found a chance to put in a word. "Who is your father, miss?" asked the old miner. "His name is Henry Welton, sir. He is supposed to have been at work on the Klondike now for about a year." "Welton I know him. He's struck it rich. Owns half a dozen claims." Edith's eyes lighted up with pleasure. "And do you think I shall find him at Dawson, sir?" she asked. "You ought to," replied the miner; "he was there when I left." But there was something about his way of speaking which Ned did not like. It worried him while Edith kept talking of her father after the canoes separated. "There's something wrong," he thought; "but whatever it is Edith mustn't suffer. I'll stand by her to the last." But Ned was wise enough to keep his thoughts to himself. Soon they were at the head of the lake. Most of the canoes had gone down the river, and our friends watched the last two start into the rapids, while waiting their turn. It was a startling sight. The narrow channel was filled with great bowlders and sunken rocks, over which the water swept furi ously. It was all the Indians could do to keep the canoes in the channel. Now they were tossed to this side, and now swept to the other. At one moment it seemed as if they must be dashed to pieces against some big bowlder; then they would come in sight again and go whirling on, until at last both swept around a bend in the river and disap peared. "Now, then, gents!" cried old Joe Torry. "Time's up! It's our turn! Don't anybody s;hift their posi tion, unless they want to go to blazes themselves and take all hands with them. Boys, let her go l" The Haidas worked the canoe around into the chan nel. Suddenly drawing in their paddles, they uttered a wild shout, and -the canoe went whirling down the stream, guided by one Indian in the stern, while those in the bows stood ready to fend off in case they came too near the rocks. As the canoe flew on, the Haidas set up a wild chant. Edith drew closer to Ned, who involuntarily flung his arm about the girl. It a fearful moment. With lightning speed the canoe shot down the rapids. Rock after rock was passed in safety; Lake Bennett was actually in view when all at once the canoe struck some hidden obstruction, and was over like a flash. Down upon the stony bottom the Klondikers tumbled all in a heap. "Oh, Ned! Ned!" gasped Edith. Ned held on for all he was worth, striving to gain a footing, but both went down under the water then. It was not above his armpits when they rose, but the force of the current was so great that many were swept away with it. Wild shouts and cries for help rang out on all sides.' Ned saw Dick climbing up on a big bowlder. The Unknown had vanishei:l. His plug hat was whirling down the stream. "Keep perfectly cool, Edith cried Ned, as the girl flung her arms about his neck. "Don't take me so Let go I've got you We must go with the current! We'll make for that big rock ahead!" Edith let go immediately, and Ned, holding her tight around the waist, managed to lift her up upon the rock. "Safe he cried. "Don't worry. All right, Dick?" "All right!" shouted Dick. "I'm here! How the mischief we are going to get off, though, I don't see." "And everything lost," groaned Edith. "Oh, Ned, this will ruin you!"

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YOUNG KLONDIKE. 23 "Your life ain't lost anyhow, Edith. Don't worry. "Why, she was here a few moments ago," he re-It will all come out right." plied, looking around. "Here I come all right!" cried a voice under the rock. "And the dog is gone, too. Strange I Ha I There And up bobbed the Unknown, dripping wet, but as goes another boat." cheerful as ever. j A shout rang out over the lake and they saw a He held something in his hand which Ned took to canoe load of Klondikers pushing off. Their own be a stone as he climbed up on the rock. canoe was now the only one which remained. "Gold!" he shouted. "Look Dick Luckey, you As the canoe came into view on the other side of the ain't in it I I've struck the first color. Hooray! It's point, Ned saw that Edith was in it. gold!" "What in thunder does that mean? Has the girl The Unknown, in fishing himself out of the water, given us the shake?" exclaimed the Unknown. had fished up a nugget weighing half a pound. "There's your friend Dawley beside her in the boat. CHAPTER X. RALPH DAWLEY RUNS UP AGAINST A SNAG. "Is it really gold ?" cried Ned, staring at the nugget. "That's what it is," chuckled the Unknown. "I saw it when I was down there under the water, and you needn't think I was any such fool as to leave it behind!" "Lot's of good it will do us, if we are left behind," sighed Ned. "Here we are, all wet through and every iJhing lost, and night upon us. What's to be done?" "Have patience, dear boy. It will all come out right. See, the Haidas have worked the canoe ashore and are righting it. I don't believe there'll be a life lost, and as for our goods, we'll have to do the best we can." It proved to be very much as the Unknown said. The situation was not nearly as bad as it seemed. In fact, these upsets were of quite common occurrence in the rapids; the worst was the damage to the goods and the delay. In this instance everyone managed to get on the rocks, and, after the Haidas got the canoe righted, they showed what they could do with their paddles. Ned hardly supposed that they could pull up stream, but they did it, and one after another was taken on board. When the last Klondiker had been rescued, the run down the rapids began again, and they reached Lake Bennett safely. Here the whole party had tied up for the night, and the camp fires were already started. To the surprise of the boys, many of the goods in the overturned canoe were already on shore, and there was Rover, who had swam through to the lake, ready to greet them with his joyful bark. "Where in the world did these traps come from?" demanded the Unknown, looking at the dripping pile. "Hang me if here ain't my plug hat, too!" He caught it and clapped it on his head. The explanation was simple. A log boom had been fixed across the mouth of the river for this very purpose. Everything that could be washed down had been stopped by the boom, and most of what was missing was gathered up by the Haidas next morning. These Indians are as much at home in the water as on land. They worked the canoe up the rapids, and went in after the bales, boxes and bags that had lodged against the rocks. So as it turned out the actual loss was trivial, and a.s everything had been wrapped in waterproof paper before packing, the damage was not great. "I don't want any more of that on my plate, though," remarked the Unknown, when they were about ready for the start up Lake Bennett. By the way, Ned, where's Edith? I don't see her around." Ned had been very busy getting his stuff together, and Dick had gone up to the boom to bring down the last of their bags. Don't look so glum, Young Klondike. Hark I She's calling." "Good-bye, Ned!" cried Edith, shaking her handkerchief. "You are too slow! I can't wait for you." "By-bye, Young Klondike!" bawled Dawley, taking off his hat and waving it above his head. Meet you at Dawson! Tra-la-la !" This was cool, seeing that Ned had scarcely spoken to the fellow since they met at the camp. Then they saw Dawley pull his banjo out of the green case and begin to play, and Edith's voice came back to them over the water, as the canoe swept on down the lake with Rover at the stern barking back at the shore. "The cold shake, as sure as shooting," chuckled the Unknown. "When I was in Valparaiso, I knew a girl who shook a young fellow like that, and-don't look so black, Young Klondike. If Edith prefers Daw ley to you, who's to hinder? She ain't in your charge." To the Unknown it seemed a good joke, but Ned just turned away and went to meet Dick, who came staggering toward them with a big bag on his back. "Did you see that, Ned ?" he broke out. "Don't say a word, Dick." "She insisted upon being allowed to go in that canoe. She was talking to Dawley ten minutes be fore they started." "Stop!" cried Ned. "Dick Luckey, don't you say another word." "Phew!" whistled Dick. "Well, it's none of my doings. Drop it, Ned. You were getting stuck on Edith, anyhow. We want to make our fortune before we think of falling in love." Ned made no answer. For an hour after the canoe started he never opened his mouth, but when he did speak he was the same old Ned again, bright and lively as ever. Days passed and Edith's name was not mentioned. Nor did the boys see her. Joe Torry's canoe had been delayed an hour, and as the travel was now night and day they did not come up with the rest of their party. The twenty-four mile journey down Lake Bennett was successfully performed; that night the party passed over Carriboo crossing and entered Lake Tagish, running nineteen miles to the river, and then six miles down the river to Marsh lake. Here was another paddle of nineteen miles, and then a twenty-five mile journey down the river to the portage where the canoe and its load had to be carried on land, around the famous White Horse rapids. Next came the sixteen mile run down the Tahkeenah river to the head of lake Le Barge. Here they fully expected to come up with the other canoes, but they were disappointed. The last of them had just gone. They could see their white sails out on the lake. There is no paddling on Le Barge, the thirty-one miles is always performed under sail. "There they go cried the Unknown, as they came out upon the lake in the early morning. "I can see Edith in that last can()e."

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YOUNG KLONDIKE. Ned. turned away and made no reply, but Dick took At least he thought so, but he was mistaken. the glass from the detective and fixed it on the boat. No sooner had he passed out of sight than the UnEdith was there and Dawley, too. known was on his feet. Dick saw them both distinctly; they were seated in I He walked over to the fire, where Edith was sitting. the stern, side by side. I Ralph Dawley had been there a little while before "She's waving to us, Ned!" he cried, presently. chatting with the girl, but he had now disappeared. "Let her wave," growled Ned, and he pulled out Edith started up at his approach. his banjo, and began to play. "What do you want?" she whispered. "Don't Dick said no more and all through the day the can-you come near me or you'll spoil it all." oes kept on up the lake. "Hush I must say a word. When is it to be?" But Joe Torry's boat did not keep up with the rest, "To-night!" and before long they were alone again. "Good enough! You'd better bring matters to a In fact, night overtook them while still on the lake, head, if you want to make your peace with Ned Gold which ought not to have been the case, for the journey en." to Thirty Mile river is usually performed between day"I don't care whether I do or not, I was going to light and darkness even at that season, being only say,'' whispered Edith, "but that wouldn't be true. thirty-one miles. Can't Ned trust me? He ought to, and--" As the sun went down a cold north wind sprang up "Hush I Here he comes !" breathed the Unknown and the temperature fell away below freezing. and he glided away following the direction taken by Out qame the blankets, great coats and mufflers, Ned. then. I What was all this ? A plot ? "This is a bad job!" growled the Unknown. "This It looked so. Meanwhile Ned walked on. will interfere with my plans." The storm was about over; it was only a squall. "Your plans-all our plans,'' said Joe Torry. "If Considering the lateness of the season, the Klondikers we find Thirty Mile river frozen as we are likely to do, had been favored with most remarkable weather, but it means halt till spring: for we can never reach Daw-they had a long journey ahead of them yet. son on foot." Further down the shore, near the mouth of Thirty "Is there no chance of its opening again once it Mile river, was a log hut which had been built in freezes ?" asked Dick. former years by fur traders. "Blamed little. Still it might." Ned passed the open door, glancing in at the dark "It's got to open if I open it,'' said the Unknown. interior. "When I was on the Arctic expedition in '68, I blew If it had been half big enough, the Klondikers might open a channel which let our boat out of the pack, and have taken possession of it, but it was only a small we got back to the steamer all right. If we hadn't affair with one room, and the chimney was down so we'd have been frozen to death, sure!" no one thought of making use of it that night. "Thought you said you never were at the North Ned kept on to the mouth of the river, and stood Pole?" laughed Dick. there looking at the rushing water for a long time. "Never was, dear boy. We didn't get there. Ha, Although the wind had died down it was cold stand-ha, ha!" ing still, and at length he started to return. "What steamer were you on?" asked Dick. As he drew near the hut he saw a light inside and "Let's see. I disremember her name now. Was heard voices talking. it the Albatross? No, I think not. Mebbe it was"Who in the world has gone in there?" muttered there's the other canoes, cap!" Ned. "I thought everybody was asleep." There they were, sure enough. They had come up He drew nearer, listening to the voices. with their friends again. J Suddenly he stopped short. This time they joined the remainder of the party, "Good heavens! It's Edith!" he gasped. "And who, in fact, had determined to wait for them, and Ralph Dawley!" all together they finished the journey to the mouth Ned's hand closed on his rifle It began to look as of Thirty Mile river. though there was likely to be a row. By the time they reached it a snowstorm set in, He stole up to the door and stood listening. and further progress was stopped. Edith was talking. The canoes were hauled up on the bank, and the "It's no use, Ralph," she said. "I won't promise Klondikers pitched their camp under the shadow of a to marry you unless you can prove to me that you great over-hanging ledge of rocks. have actually got money. I've come up here for Here roaring fires were built, for there was plenty money and I mean to make it. I don't care a pin of dry wood about, and after supper the miners lay about getting married, anyway. I'm one of the indearound playing cards, talking and singing. Ralph pendent kind, and don't care about any man, but I'd Dawley worked his banjo for all it was worth, and just as soon marry you as any one else if you are rich." Edith sang sweetly. Pleasant listening this for Ned if he was in love with But Ned kept his banjo in the case and lay away Edith, and he had been trying to persuade himself from the fire, talking to Dick and taking no part in that he was ever since they left Dyea. these proceedings. "Say, Edith, you're keepin' me on the string,'' He had not even looked at Dawley when they met drawled Dawley, who seemed sober enough, which on the shore. was the case, for the very excellent reason that he Edith came up and spoke to Dick and the Unknown, had long ago drank up all the whisky he had bought but when she approached Ned he merely nodded to in Dy ea. her and drew away. "No string about it,'' replied Edith, smartly. Toward ten o'clock the camp quieted down, and "You claim to be worth five thousand dollars. Show most of the Klondikers were asleep, Dick among the your money if you want me to believe it." rest. "Well, I've got it all right, Edith. Can't you But Ned couldn't sleep, and about that time he got trust me? I'm dead in love with you and I'll marry up and, taking his rifle, walked out from under the you as soon as we touch Dawson." rocks, leaving Dick and the Unknown sleeping with "You won't unless you show me your money. You the rest. know you promised to vrove to me that you were

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YOU N G KLONDIKE. actually rich when I consented to leave Ned Golden's boat and go into the other one You've had several days to do it in, but you haven't kept your word." "I can do it, Edith. I can do it if I choose." "I don't believe you. Where would you get money?" "Brought it from the States with me, of course. Earned it. Oh, I'm a hustler, I am." "Hal Ha!" laughed Edith. "I see it's only the old story. "I'm going back to camp." "Not without giving me your promise, you don't go, Edith." Ned's hand closed tighter on his rifle, for he heard Dawley move closer to the girl. "You'll get my promise when I see the mo11ey," said Edith, calmly. "Don't you lay your hand on me, Ralph Dawley. If you do you'll find you've run up against a snag "Have I really got to show you the money to prove that I ain't lying?" asked Dawley, in an agrieved tone. "You have." "Then I suppose I may as well do it first as last." Ned drew neareiv intently. "It's Dick's money, if hes got any," he thought. "What is Edith about?" He began to wish about that time that he had been a little more courteous to the girl when they met on the shore. He peered through the chinks between the logs, and saw Dawley fumble in the inside pocket of his coat. Out came the old pocket-book, sure enough. "The thief!" thought Ned. He was about to jump in, then, but something seemed to tell him to wait. "Here it is, Edith," drawled Dawley. "It's all in here." "I want to see it," said Edith, holding out her hand. Dawley drew back. "Well, now, do I have to open the pocket-book and prove that I ain't a liar?" he whined. "You do!" Well, then, I won't." "Then I'll do it for you, Ralph Dawley," cried Edith, and she suddenly snatched away the pocket book, at the same time pulling a revolver from under her wrap and pointing it at Dawley's head. Get out of here," she cried. "You thief You scoundrel This is Dick Luckey's money I've got what I want now!" Ralph Dawley cringed before the brave girl like the coward that he was. "Don't shoot, Edith! Don't shoot!" he whined. You are entirely mistaken a.bout that money; I can explain!" Explain to me," cried a voice in the rear of the room. There was the Unknown looking in the window; his rifle covered Dawley, too. And to me," said another voice in the doorway. It was Ned, and his rifle was up and ready. "By the Jumping Jeremiah! Young Klondike him self!" chuckled the detective, springing in through the window. "Ain't you ashamed of yourself, Ned Golden, for the way you have snubbed this brave girl?" Dawley showed what sort of stuff he was made of then. He dropped on his knees before Edith, whining like a whipped cur : "Don't let them kill me! Don't let them kill me! I own up I did steal the money! Don't tell the boys or they'll lynch me!" CHAPTER XI. THE SKELETON IN THE HUT. BEFORE any one could say a word in answer, Rover came bounding into the hut. The dog had been asleep by the fire when Edith stole away. He was so closely attached to the girl that it was a wonder he had not followed her before. Somehow Rover seemed to comprehend the situation, for he sprang upon Ralph Dawley, and seizing him by the throat, had the wretch on his back before he knew it. "Take him off! Take him off!" yelled the thief. "Down, Rover! Down!" cried Edith, sternly. It was all she could do to make him let go of his victim. Ned and the Unknown lent their aid. They got Dawley up, and tied his hands behind him. "By the Jumping Jeremiah, I've got a man at last, even if he isn't my man!" chuckled the Unknown. "Ned, you haven't apologized to Edith for your boor ish behavior yet." "I'm sure I don't know what to say,'' stammered Ned, very red in the face. "Edith, can you forgive me?" "For what, Ned?" When Edith fixed her big blue eyes upon him, Ned was more confused than ever. In fact, he did not know what to say. I was so rude to you," he stammered. "I've forgotten it, Ned. Here's Dick's money. This case must be reported to Captain Torry at once." "No, no, no!" cried Dawley. "Don't do it. Let me go The boys will lynch me. I've given back the money Let me go "Given back nothing," said the Unknown. "You deserve to be lynched. Edith, the safety of every man in our party depends upon the honesty of each one of us. We must not let this fellow go." "Where would you go? You'd starve to death in this wilderness," said Edith, looking pityingly at the cringing wretch. "His fate must be decided by a general vote," said the Unlmown, decidedly. "I am an officer of the law, Edith. I will not let him go. Besides, he hasn't given up the money yet." "I have I've given up everything !" whined Dawley. "Ned, open the pocket-book!" said the Unknown. Now, as Ned had taken it for granted that the money was in the pocket-book, he had not opened it. He did it now. "Empty, by gracious !" he exclaimed. "There is nothing here." Raiph Dawley gave a howl. He thougp.t his fate was sealed then. But the Unknown broke out with one of his chuckling laughs : "Don't throw your coat down, if you want to keep your stealings next time he cried. Then he pulled a little roll of bills out of his pocket. "Five thousand dollars, property of Dick Luckey, until the rightful owner comes along!" he cried. "Ralph Dawley, I picked your pocket within half an hour after we went into camp." There was a tremendous excitement among the Klondikers when the Unknown marched Ralph Daw ley into camp, arousing everybody with his loud shout. "What's the row? Indians?" cried old Joe Torry. All hands grasped their rifles and were on their feet like a fl.ash. "No; only a thief,'' said the Unknown. "Gentle men, listen to me."

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YOUNG KLONDIKE. Then he told the story of Dawley's capture, taking "And you?" asked old Joe, looking at Dick. are not to mention the amount which had been stolen "I agree," said Dick. from Dick. "Put it to vote!" cried the Unknown. "Lynch him Lynch the scoundrel!" cried the It was done, and there was a majority of one in Klondikers. favor of letting Dawley go free. "Is the money all here-the whole :five thousand?" So the small canoe was prepared-it was a worth-whispered Dick, as Ned slipped the roll of bills into less, leaky a,ffair-and a smaU supply of provisions his hand. placed in it. "Every bill," answered Ned, "and you may thank The moon had now come out and was shining Edith and the Unknown for it, but don't you tell how brightly, when, with Ralph Dawley on board, the much it is." Klondikers pushed the frail craft off from the shore. There was no need for Dick to say a word, for no-Not a word was spoken. body asked the question. With white face and staring eyes Ralph Dawley sat The matter was very serious for the Klondikers. in the canoe, and never even attempted to take up the All had more or less money about them, and nobody paddle. wanted his neighbor to know the amount. In a moment the canoe was caught in the current Pale and trembling Ralph Dawley stood among his 1 and went shooting out of Lake Le Ba.rge into Thirty companions, begging piteously for his life. Mile river, passing in between the wooded hills to be Old Joe Torry stepped upon a big rock. seen no more. "Boys," he exclaimed, "this is a serious matter. I "He ought to have been shot, Miss Edith," said old If we can't trust each other we'd better separate and Joe Torry, "and in my opinion we shall live to regret go on to the Klondike each man alone." that we didn't shoot him before we strike Dawson. "Lynch him! Lynch him!" they shouted. But there's no use talking, a woman will have her Tears were streaming down Da.wley's cheeks; his way." face was as white as a corpse. Morning dawned clear and cool. Ned was moved-so was Dick, but Edith never said Dick was the happiest fellow in the camp, unless we a word. except Ned Golden. "Let him off, Mr. Torry," called out Dick. "I'm There had been no sleep for either of the boys after satisfied now that I've got my money back." Dawley's departure, but theUnknown:finishedoutthe "Uan't be done," said the old pioneer. "Boys, I've night by the side of the fire, while Edith remained been through this sort of thing many a time in the talking with Ned and Dick. old days of '49; we must act, and act promptly. "I was sure Dawley had the money, and I knew I Ralph Dawley, are you guilty or are you not ?" could make him tell me," she said; "but don't you get "It wasn't me; it was a feller I met in Dyea," jealous again, Ned. I'm going to the Klondike to groaned the coward. look for my father, and that's all there is about it." "That won't do." Ned took the hint and said nothing, and after that "It's true." all three were as good friends a,s ever. "Then how did you come by the money?" In fact, Edith showed so plainly that she was en" The feller got drunk. I took it out of his pock-tirely able to take care of herself during the days that et." followed, that they found it hard to realize that she Then you are twice a, thief. You were the wretch was not a boy like themselves. who went into the stateroom occupied by Ned Golden She had already shown that she was a splendid and Dick Luckey on the Hyde, were you not ?" shot, and she repeated that lesson again and again. "No, no!" Many was the brace of ducks she brought down, "You lie! Your face shows it. Tell the truth, or and before the moose meat was used up, Edith had I'll shoot you where you stand." killed another, and this before any one else caught Old Joe drew his revolver and covered the crying sight of it. wretch. Besides this she could handle the paddle as well as "Put it up! Don't shoot me!" groaned Dawley. any man of the party. "I did go into the stateroom. I confess it all." This was a very necessary accomplishment, for the ''Lynch him! String him up! Shoot him, Joe!'' Indians now left them; everyone had to take their turn. shouted the Klondikers. The fine weather continued, and the water courses And there is no doubt that they would have done it, remained unfrozen, although the thermometer seldom if it had not been for Edith. rose much above the freezing point. "Boys!" she cried. "Was it I who worked up the There was liable to be a big drop any day, and old case against this man?" Joe Torry pressed forward with all possible speed. "You did! You did! Hear! Hear!" cried the Thirty Mile river was soon left behind. Unknown. Then they ran into Lewis river, at its junction with "Then I ask for his life," continued Edith. "Give the Hootalinqua. him the small canoe and let him go ahead of us. If Ninety-two miles to Five Fingers, and then a dan-he shows himself again I haven't a word to say." gerous run among the islands to Rink Rapids.

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YOUNG KLONDIKE. 27 Dawson City was daily drawing nearer. "Why, there's nothing for you to do." The run through the rapids was safely accomplished "Dear boy, I differ with you. I may find my man this time by every canoe but one, which happened to if I look along the shore, and by the shore I stay. be one of the largest, and carried valuable freight. Good-bye and good luck. No need to wish you that This struck a sunken rock and was badly shattered, with Edith going along." although nobody was drowned and most of the goods "He's up to something," said Ned, when they had were saved. climbed to the top of the first hill. "We're tied up here for a day while they repair They could now look down upon the river. The that infernal canoe,'' remarked the Unknown, on the Unknown had taken one of the smaller canoes and morning after the accident, "and it's too bad, for in was paddling along close to the bank. my humble judgment there's going to be a storm." "Prospecting," said Dick. "It will be snow if it comes,'' said Ned. "It's "Perhaps. He's a strange man," replied Ned. colder than it was yesterday. We can't expect rain "He told me last night that he was sure Ralph !f the wind begins to blow." Dawley was still alive and not very far ahead of us," "Breakfast! Breakfast!" called Edith, who had said Edith. "I wonder how he knew?" constituted herself cook for our little party, and then Before any one could reply a flock of ducks suddenly they all went up under a big overhanging rock where came in sight. They were moving south over the there was as fine a cup of coffee ready for them as could brow of the hill. be had in the best hotel in the States. Edith threw up her rifle and had fired twice before "Ned, let's you and I go up on those hills and see either of the boys could get in a shot. what we can shoot if we've got to tie up here,'' said Three ducks fell, and Rover bounded forward to Edith, after breakfast was over. fetch them. "I'm with you," said Ned. "What do you say, "A splendid shot, Edith Two of those ducks are DI.ck ?. I k N yours, and now it, declared ed. "I missed." "No objection, if we ain't wanted to help repair the "Oh, I'm all right on ducks," laughed Edith. "I've canoe." had bts of practice, but what's that down there on "I'm detailed for that," said the Unknown. "Go the shore of that little pond?" on and have your hunt." The pond in question lay in a hollow among the hill" That's all nonsense," said Ned. "You are altops, about forty feet down. The shores were wooded, ways trying to make it easy for us. If I knew your and among the stunted trees some large animal could ame I'd say thank you. We'd better ask Joe Torry, be seen moving about. ick. Of course, we've got to do our share:" "Looks like a moose," said Dick. "So, that's the way. My word is doubted," laughed "It's a carriboo !" cried Edith. "Watch me take he Unknown. "If you knew my name, indeed Don't him, boys." ou know it ? Haven't I told it times enough ?" She leveled her rifle, and a moment of suspense fol" Everybody is calling you Snyder just now; is that lowed. The carriboo came out from among the trees your name?" asked Ned. I and approached the pond. But the Unknown only laughed again. Suddenly Edith's rifle spoke, and Ned saw the carri-It was true that the Klondikers had dubbed him boo leap into the air. Then, with a curious cry, it ran Snyder, and he always answered to it. forward a few yards and went down on the grass on The fact was everybody had grown tired of trying its knees. to find out the detective's name. "A shot! A shot!" cried Ned. "Edith, you do "Look here, I'll give you a name, boys, and it is it every time." really one of my names-my middle one; straight "You can do the same after a little practice, Ned." goods this time. We're going to stick together for a "Don't believe I ever can. There's fresh meat for while, anyhow, and you've got to have a handle for us, though, and we want it." me-I see that." They all hurried do_wn the hill to the pond, but What is it ?" asked Ned. Rover was beside the wounded beast before them, "Zedekiah A good old scripture name; my grand-1 barking furiously and jumping about to keep out of mother is responsible for it-rest her soul!" the reach of the carriboo's horns. "Zed it is, then,'' laughed Ned. "What a relief to A shot from Ned's rifle soon settled the fate of the be able to call you something. I'm going down to ask poor brute, and the boys went to work to skin the Joe Torry if we can be spared." carriboo and cut it up, while Edith.shot a few more Ned found that others had already been detailed to ducks, for while the work was going on several flocks look after the repairs on the canoe, and he was soon settled on the lake. back again. "I'll pack some of this meat back to camp, and "Nothing to hinder us all from going on the hunt,'' you two stay here and get a few more ducks," said he declared. "Come along, Edith. We'll bag someNed. "I know you don't want to leave yet, Edith." thing sure. Get your rifle, Zed." I "Would you mind, Ned ?" "No, I ain't going," said the Unknown. "I've got "Not a bit. I'm no shot, and you are having such other fish to fry." luck that it's a shame to spoil it."

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28 YOUNG KLONDIKE. "I might just as well go as you," said Dick. "It will be a long day before I can handle a rifle the way Edith does." "No, no! We can't both go. I'll do it." So they loaded Ned down, and leaving his rifle with Dick, he started back to the camp, less than a mile away. When he got on top of the hill, a cold wind struck his face, and he could not fail to notice that the sky was entirely overcast. "The snow is coming," he thought, and he lost no time getting back to camp. "Hello, Young Klondike What you got there?" exclaimed Joe Torry, as he' came down on the shore. Carri boo this time," said Ned. "Miss Edith's work, I'll bet. Where's the rest of your party?" "Edith and Dick are up among the hills shooting ducks. Of course, this is her game. I ain't up on carriboo hunting yet." "Well, get them back as quick as you po ssibly can. It' s going to snow inside of twenty minutes. Where's that man Snyder ? Has he decamped with our best canoe?" "I 'saw him paddling down the river a while ago. Hasn't he come in yet?" "No, he hasn't, and he wants to come or therelll be trouble. We want to be moving out of this mighty quick, or we stand a fair chance of being snowed ; He'll never strike Ralph Dawley, even if he is hanging round here." "Dawley What do you mean?" demanded Ned, amazed. "What, didn't you hear that Snyder found his canoe hidden among the rocks early this morning be-1 fore you were awake?" ' No, indeed!" Ned bent his head to the wind, and staggered on up the hill. When he got to the top he could hear Rover bark ing furiously, but he could see nothing of the pond, for it had suddenly grown very dark, and the whirl of flakes fairly blinded him. "Dick! Hey, Dick! Hello!" he shouted. Then he heard a shot, and Rover's bark ceased. But there was no answer to his shouts. Locating the pond the best he could, Ned ran down the slope, feeling sure he was going right. He went twice as far as he expected, and yet did not come to the pond. "I've got into the next hollow," he thought. "I remember looking down into this hole ; I've got to go back." Suddenly he ran into a tree which he had not seen. The shock nearly stunned him. As he drew back and looked, to his surprise he saw that he had come among a clump of trees, and there was a rude log hut right in front of him. The door was open and Ned staggered inside in tending to rest a moment and get his breath. As he crossed the threshold he stumbled over some thing which seemed to break in many pieces with a rattling sound. Ned drew back 'in horror as he looked down upor the floor. There lay a human skeleton or the remains of one; the whitened skull with its eyeless sockets rolle a.long the sloping floor and struck Ned's foot. At the same instant another shot rang out and im mediately following it, Ned heard Edith's voice cryin through the storm : "This is Ralph Dawley's. Take it, you scoundrel.' Then t4e rifle cracked again. Fact I The fellow has been here, and from the CHAPTER XII. traces Snyder found there were others with him. I THE SKELETON'S LEGACY. tell you that detective is as smart as a whip, even if NED GOLDEN never stopped to look at the skeleton he does stick to his plug hat and hasn't got any but went bounding out of the hut. name." A dark shadow was hurrying toward him througl "Then that's what the Unknown was looking for?" the storm. thought Ned, as he hurried back up the hill. Ned whipped out his revolver-it was his own, r He had lost more time than he meant and more covered when Dawley was captured that night. than was safe, if hehad but known it, for up in Alaska, "Edith! Edith!" he shouted. "Here I am I rt' storms come suddenly and when it snows it usually Ned!" "means business." "Lend me a hand, Ned," came the answer. "Poo Ned had a taste of it before he reached the top of Dick is almost gone." the ]fill. It was Edith, sure enough, and she was supportin All at once a blast struck him, which might have Dick. come from the North Pole. His head hung over to one side, and he would ha' It brought the snow with it. fallen if Edith, who had her arm around him, had n One who has never been in Alaska can hardly realheld him up. ize how rapidly these storms come. "Look out, Ned," she said, coolly. "Dawley's rigl In less than three minutes after Ned struck the behind us with four Indians." storm, he found himself enveloped in a blinding whirl "Here, take the rifles What's this-a hut I of snow flakes. get Dick inside Shut the door, Ned l Quic He could scarcely keep his feet, and to see his way Quick Oh What is this ?" was quite impossible, and yet he knew that he was She had stumbled over the skeleton, but after th but a few moments away from Edith and Dick. first exclamation it did not seem to disturb her a b

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YOUN G KLONDIKE. 29 "Clear these bones away!" she cried. "Shut the Here the writing came to an abrupt end. door. Is there any fastening? Yes, here's a bar. "Good Heavens! The poor wretch died before he Now, we are safe for the moment. I don't hear was able to finish his letter," exclaimed Dick. them. Perhaps they've lost us in the storm. Now, "There's the chimney, Ned," said Edith, quietly. then, Dick Luckey, you brace up." "The skeleton's legacy may be worth having. You And all this time Ned had not been able to say a were here first-it's yours." word. I Ned ran his hand up into the rude chimney which "Edith l Is it really so? Is Dawley after you? had been made of stones loosely piled together. Oh, don't tell me that Dick is d ead." "There's something here sure!" he exclaimed, and "Not a bit of it, Ned," g a sped Dick, from the floor he drew out a small canvas bag which was so heavy where Edith had laid him down. "I got a crack over that he almost let it fall. the head with a big club. One of those infernal In"Gold !" cried Dick. Who's the lucky one dians. It knocked me out for the moment, but I'm all now ?" right again now." "Open it! Open it!" said Edith. And Dick managed to scramble up without any Ned's hand trembled as he untied the string. one's help. Sure enough, the bag was full of gold dust. "They came upon us suddenly in the storm," exTime had not changed it a bit. plained Edit.h "We had made our way up the hill Just as it had been when Peter Proudfit put it in and were tr) ng to locate the camp. I declare, Ned, the chimne:y, so it was now. I thought I should die when they rushed at us. Poor "Well, well, well! If Golden & Luckey ain t strikDick got it, but I sent a shot back and they scattered. ing it rich all around !" cried Edith. "I wish I was It's all up with Rover, though." a member of that famous firm." "Dead !" gasped Ned. "If you don't count yourself a member of the firm "Dawley shot him. I might have known that already it will dissolve, that's all," said Ned. "This something was wrong, he barked so. Oh, Ned, I wish I gold no more belongs to me than it does to you and I had never interfered to save that fellow's life now." Dick." They listened in silence for a few moments, but "But you found it, Ned. You discovered the skelecould hear nothing above the howling of the wind. ton-you know how his legacy reads." "Perhaps they've lost us," said Edith. "Where "It's firm property,'' declared Ned, "and you are in the world are we, anyhow? What's this skeleton a member sure; but how much is there here?" mean ? Dick, how are you feeling now ?" "How much do you think it weighs ?" I've got a lump on my head as big as an egg, Give it up. What do you say, Dick?" that's all," said Dick. "Some fellow has passed in Dick balanced the bag in his hand. his checks here, but it must have been a long time "I should say at leastten pounds, Ned." ago." "All of that." It was getting lighter now, and they could see "Call it twenty dollars an ounce, troy, which is a. about the interior of the hut distinctly enough. little more than it's actually worth." There was little to be discovered beside the skeleton, "And sixteen ounces to the pound Phew A for-and an old iron pot, a rusty rifle and a few odds and tune!" nds, such as a man might carry in a knapsack, and "You're off on your tables," Dick laughed. "Twelve he knapsack was there. ounces goes.Jor a pound troy weight." There were the remains of a pair of old blankets, So ? Well, that cuts it down. Twelve times ten oo, lying in one corner, but they fell to dust when is--" ed tried to pick them up. "One hundred and twenty ounces at twenty dol A folded paper dropped out from among the pieces. lars," broke in Edith. "Not so much of a fortune, Ned picked this up, and examined it by the light Ned. I'd give my share to have poor Rover here hich stole in through the chinks between the logs. now." "It's a letter!" he exclaimed, "and it's dated ten "It's twenty-four hundred dollars all the same," ears ago. What's this it says? 'To whoever finds said Ned. I'm satisfied it will give us a bully good e.' Well, I guess that means me." start on the Klondike, if we ever get there. I only "Open it," said Edith. "We've got a moment wish the skeleton had mentioned the particular spot ow. I'll listen. Don't you be afra id that I won't where it was dug.'' ear them if they come." "Out of respect to the departed, we ought at least Ned tore open the paper which was stuck together, to bury his bones," said Dick. "I'm serious -about it . nd by the fading light read as follows: I should to leave them here." "I'm dying. My name is Peter Proudfit. The gold "We'll collect them together and put them in the sin the chimney. I've been sick h ere now for two chimney,'' said Ned. "The old thing will tumble onths and not able to get my canoe up over the ra-down of its own weight soon, and then he'll have a ids. Whoever finds this may have my gold. I min-sort of a tomb.'' d it up on Klondike river, and there is lots more They listened carefully before they began to work, here it--" but could hear nothing of the enemy.

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YOUNG KLONDIKE. In the chimney was a broad, projecting stone, upon I They were not going right in spite of Ned's confi which the bag had rested, and on this Ned and Dick dent assertion to the contrary. They were descending piled the dead man's bones. directly on to the river instead of following the north-By the time they had finished the gTuesome task, it west slope of the hill up which they had come. became evident that Dawley and his Indians either Within a few moments Ned discovered his blunder, had no intention of attacking the hut, or had missed for the snow began to fall in larger flakes, and the their way in the storm. wind dying down, the rush and whirl ceased, and they "I'll go out and see how the land lies," said Dick. were able to see ahead. "You won't do anything of the sort, you stay with "Heavens Here's the river right below us," cried Edith and look after your sore head," said Ned, and Ned, suddenly. seizing his rifle he cautiously opened the door. He drew bq,ck, and it was well he did so, for another It was still snowing hard, but the wind was noth-step would have sent him over the edge of the rocks, ing like as fierce as it had been. and perhaps into the river which ran some thirty feet I don t think they are anywhere around here," below them. Ned declared, after making the circuit of the hut. "I "Step back, Edith!" he cried. "There's danger think we might venture to start for the camp now." here!" "Let's wait a little longer and make sure," said Edith sprang back as Ned sounded the warning. Edith. But Dick was not so fortunate. "It ain't safe. Joe Torry may start without us." Perhaps it was a misstep; perhaps the bag of gold "He wouldn't do such a thing." helped to carry him down. "I don't know. There are others in the party be-Ned and Edith were startled by a sharp cry, and sides us, and he has to consider the general good. I looking back they saw to their horror, Dick whirling think we'd better be on the move." down over the rocks. "But can you find your way, Ned?" "Oh, Ned, Ned!" gasped Edith, covering her face I'm sure I can." with her hands. "You lost it before." Poor Ned "And a mighty lucky thing I did, the way it has If it had not been for Edith, he would have leaped all turned out." down after Dick over the rocks. It may not be so lucky the next time." "We've got to leave, Edith, if there is any show for it, and I think there is." "I accept the decision of the head of the firm. I'm ready." "I'll go first," said Ned, and, Dick, you carry the gold; we'll wall{ single file and Edith shall be between us." Ned stopped for a moment to take a look at his surroundings and then they started up the hill. Already the snow had begun to drift in places and it was hard climbing. When they got to the top of the hill they could see but little, and the wind had such a sweep that it was all they could do to keep their feet. "This is tremendous!" panted Ned, "but I suppose it's nothing to what we shall strike on the Klondike before the winter is out." As he spoke a horn sounded in the distance. Again and again it was blown. "They are signaling us I'll answer cried Edith. She fired three shots. Then the horn was heard again, and they hurried down the slope in the direction of the sound. "It would be somethmg terrible if we were to be left here,'' remarked Dick. "With no settlement within hundreds of miles; don't mention it,'' shuddered Edith. "Ned, you are sure you are going right ?" "We arc going down, anyhow. The river must lie below us. I wish they'd blow the horn again." But the horn did not sound again, and as it turned out, it was very unfortunate that it didn't. CHAPTER XIII. DICK LUCKEY'S LUCK. IF ever there was a boy fairly entitled to his name, Dick Luckey was that boy. At just one point under the ledge the snow had drifted. Dick fell in the drift, and everywhere else wa ragged rocks. "Dick, Dick!" yelled Ned, "are you there? Ar you alive?" "All right !" shouted Dick, scrambling out of th drift. "Ain't hurt a bit Get down to the camp Ned, and send the canoe along to pick me up." "Is the gold all right ?" "Yes, yes !" "Can't see any way to get down to you, Dick guess it will have to be as you say." "Do it, Ned. I can stay here a month, but I can' get out of this place unless I jump into the river. I'n all hemmed in by the rocks." Just then the horn sounded again, several quic blasts being blown. Evidently old Joe Torry was growing impatient. "We are going, Dick!" cried Ned. "It won't b but a few minutes before we get you off. I know jus where I am now." And Ned and Edith hurried away down the hill. So much for Dick Luckey's luck; but the advent was not concluded yet. There is good luck and bad for us all, and especiall for gold miners. Some get it one way, and some the other.

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YOUNG KLONDIKE. 31 Dick Luckey got it both ways that night. Ned and Edith had scarcely departed, when Dick heard the sound of paddles, and becamt: aware that a canoe was approaching through the gloom. Hemmed in as he was by the rocks on either side, he could see neither up nor down the river for any great distance, and so it was perfectly natural for him to suppose that the approaching canoe was one belonging to the party. He at once jumped at the conclusion that Joe Torry had started without them, and he shouted for all he was worth. "Hello, there Hello Hello, on board the ca noe!" "Hello !" came the answer, around the rocks. "Who's there?" "Dick Luckey! That you, Joe?" There was a pause. "Yes," answered a voice, after a moment. "Is Ned with you ?" "No, I fell over the rocks Take me on board. Ned and Edith have gone down the hill. Don't leave them behind, Joe." "All right ; the other canoes are waiting for them. We'll be with you in a moment, Dick," called the voice. got the money. What's this? A bag of gold, by time Gold The hoarse grunts of the Indians showed that they appreciated the discovery. They tumbled poor Dick about roughly, holding him while Dawley searched his pockets. "Ha Ha You little snoozer I've got what I want now!" cried Dawley, pulling out the pocket book. "Pitch him into the river! We're fixed now !" It was rather a relief to Dick when he found himself flying through the air and splashing down into the icy water of Lewis river, for he had fully expected to be scalped. Dawley sprang into the canoe and Indians followed. Anodder canoe come-more white man," grunted one. "We go." They seized the paddles and pushed out into the stream, when suddenly a rifle cracked once-twicethrce times. Dawley dodged down, one of the Indians fell over, badly wounded. "By the Jumping Jeremiah, I've got my man at last!" shouted a voice out of the darkness. Dawley thought he was a goner then, for, of course, he recognized the voice of the Unknown. If Dick had been a little less excited he might have CHAPTER XIV. recognized that voice, but he never dreamed of its beRALPH DAWLEY's FATE. ing Ralph Dawley until the canoe suddenly came FORTUNATE it was for Dick Luckey that at this a.round the rocks. eventful moment the storm passed and the moon There was the renegade Klondiker and his four In-shone out in all her glory. dians in the canoe. Dick sprang to his feet. Dawley flung up a rifle and covered Dick. "Hello I Hello!" he shouted to the Unknown. If you move a peg, Dick Luckey, I'll shoot you "Dick You there l" rep lied the detective. dead!" he cried. "Yes, yes! After that scoundrel; he's got my Now, Ned had Dick's rifle, and a bag of gold dust, money again and thousands of dollars' worth of dust although a very fine thing in its way, is of little use beside." as a defensive weapon against a scoundrel with a cock-Dawley's canoe meanwhile was making off down the ed rifle in his hands. river at full speed. Nor was there any chance to retreat. This was the beginning of the chase. The Unknown Dick was surrounded by rocks on all sides but one, brought his canoe up to the rocks and took Dick in. and on that side was the canoe and the rifle. "Quick! Lose no time. We may overhaul him "Cornered, by thunder!" cried Dawley, as he yet," said Dick, and they were just starting when he leaped ashore. heard Ned's voice calling. Three of the Indians followed him. Another canoe was approaching. They were a renegade lot whom Dawley had fallen In it were Ned and Edith. in with on Thirty Mile river. He had held out big "Found this where we came down the hill!" shout-promises to them if they would help him capture the ed Ned. "On! On! We have seen all. We may Klondikers. yet succeed in overhauling them." They had not expected to make the attempt so Then the chase began in earnest. soon, and it was by pure accident that they fell in With the moon to guide them, they were soon able with Dick and Edith on the hill, and now by accident to see the other canoe. again they were here, and Dick fell into their hands. As it struck into the rapids, Dawley's Indians made He fought bravely, though. a bad break. Paying no attention to Dawley's threat, Dick They allowed themselves to get caught in the eddy, jumped forward and actually seized the rifle. or "backset," as it is called. Dawley fired, the bullet striking the rocks and "Our game!" cried the Unknown. "Get ashore, bounding back. boys Get ashore But the three Indians got hold of Dick and down he "What for?" demanded Ned, not comprehending. went in the snow. I "Obey, Young Klondike. Don't stop to argue "This is the one we want!" cried Dawley. "He's Ashore, if you want to win!"

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32 YOUNG KLONDIKE. They ran the canoe ashore and climbed out on the J "Heavens, there's only four feet of water there, rocks. and it's all rocks!" gasped Ned. By this time Ned understood it all. They hurried to the spot as nearly as they could Caught in the eddy, Dawley's canoe was being approach it. swept back toward them. 'fhe drowning wretch rose to the surface, his head Ned saw that it must surely pass very close to the J was hanging limply on one side. place where they stood. "He's broken his neck," cried the Unknown, "a.nd "Ready!" said the Unknown. "If anybody can his skull, too! He went head down on the rocks!" shoot that scoundrel, we've got him now." Neel and the Unknown dragged him' out, and as they "I can do better than that," replied Edith, coolly. laid him down on the shore, Dawley gasped a few "How-what do you mean?" asked the Unknown. times and died. "I capture him alive." It's all up with him," said the Unknown. Don't "Can't be done. Dawley's day is over. If you fellook so white, Edith. Likely he'd have done us up if lows won't shoot him, I'll do it myself." you hadn't come. Dead or alive, I'm going for his "Wait," said Edith, springing up on top of a rock. pockets just the same." Ralph Dawley was as thorough a scoundrel as Then the old pocket-book came to light, and Dick's ever went unhung. five thousand dollars was in it. Scattered all over the More than that he was a convict, having done five dead man's person, in little parcels, was the gold years in Joliet, where he was sentenced for highway dust. robbery, and from which institution he managed to The skeleton's legacy was evidently not intended escape. for Ralph Dawley. Amorerevengefulnorashrewderfellowneverlived. "Ye gods and little fishes! This is business!" He was a bad friend and a dangerous enemy, but cried the Unknown. "Edith, you're a brick. Young his eyesight was as sharp as the next man's, and he Klondike, you're another, and as for you, Dick Luckey, was the first to perceive Edith on the rock-he had you're the luckiest fellow in Alaska to get your money already seen Neel Golden and his friends. back again, but I'm left I've got everything I want He sprang up in the canoe and fired three shots at except my man." Ned, Dick and the Unknown. * * * "Get ashore, boys! Leave the girl to me! Kill As the Unknown has so neatly wound up our story, the rest of them! Let 'em have it! Now! Now!" we may as well follow suit and call the account closed, Two or three of the Indians who happened to have I for that mysterious individual did not find .his man guns fired. Dawley's piece spoke again, but not a that trip, and as Joe Torry and the whole party did ar shot told. rive safely at Dawson City a few days later, there is Then Dick and the Unknown blazed away, but they really nothing more to tell, except to mention that were in equally bad luck. after being satisfied that Ralph Dawley was really They ran as they fired, coming up with Edith on dead, the Klondikers tied a stone around his wa.ist, and the rock. sunk all that remained of the disturber of their peace "Down, Edith Down out of sight cried Neel, as in the deepest part of the river. a. shot from Dawley's rifle whistled between them. It was with wildly beating hGarts that Ned and But instead of obeying, Edith sprang up upon a Dick saw the metropolis of the Yukon rising out of the higher bowlder, where she was a mark for every man 1 morning mists, as the frail canoes were paddled up in the canoe. that mighty river, claimed by some to be the longest "Look out for Dawley! Remember thUoney !"she in the world. cried. A scattered mass of rude frame buildings, intermin-Then, quick as thought, the brave girl sent four shots gled with tents here and there, a levee with a few flying at the canoe. small steamers and clumsy wood boats tied up, and a The first took the canoe just above the water line crowd of Klondikers on the shore to greet them. astern, the second did the same amidships, the third This was Dawson City, and as each man landed, the put a hole below the water in the bow. pompous Canadian, representing the Northwestern Immediately the canoe began to fill ; every movePolice, asked his name and business and the place ment Dawley and his Indians made helped on the from whence he came. work. Edith Welton, San Francisco, Ned Golden and Dick And through it all the shots were flying around Luckey, New York City, were duly recorded in the Edith on the rock. officer's book. "Blazes! We are sinking!" yelled Dawley. "And what's your name-where are you from?" he Ned and Dick and the Unknown were blazing away asked, as the Unknown stepped ashore. at the Indians aboutthattime-'-perhaps this istowhat "Mr. Nobo(ly, from Nowhere!" replied the detect-Dawley's remark referred. ive, gravely. Two keeled over wounded, and they happened to be Then, as the officer stared, he corrected himself by the very ones who had the rifles. saying : Meanwhile, Edith kept up a steady fire, always aim"Oh, my name is McKinley. I'm from Washington. ing at the canoe, and sending a hole through the side No; you needn't stare. I ain't the President of the of the frail craft every time. United States." Alarmed at the outlook, the rest of the Indians After that all hands marched up the levee to the sprang into the water and swam for the opposite hotel. shore, while Dawley, who could not swim, rained im-It was all over at last, and Young Klondilrn and his precations on his enemies, and vainly tried to save his friends had reached the land of gold! sinking craft, And we advise all those who have followed him on "Come ashore and surrender!" shouted Ned. his long journey, and who naturally desire to know "Look out for yourself You'll be on the rocks next!" what he did there to read the next story of this series, "Go to blazes!" bawled Dawley, and as he said it YOUNG KLONDIKE'S CLAIM; or, NINE GOLDEN the conoe struck a rock and sank. NUGGETS. It is full of exciting adventures and inter As it went down, Dawley made a mad dive over-est from the first page to the last. board. [THE END.]

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Tn1s Is Oull LATEST YOUNG KLONDIKE. Staries af a Geld Seeker. 32 Pages. .Colored Covers. EVERY STORY ANO BASED ON FACTS. Valuable Useful Information \Voven into Tales of \Vonderful Adventures. No. Young Klondike; or, Off Porthe La.nd of Gold, By An Old Miner No. 2. Young Klondike's Claim; or, Nine Golden Nuggets, By the Author ofYoung Klondike Issued Wednesday, March 30th. Order No. 2 From Your Newsdeale rNOW . t FOR SALE BY ALL NEWSDEALERS OR SENT TO ANY ADDRESS ON OF. PRICE, 6 CENTS PER COPY, BY FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, WEST 26th ST., NEW YORK.